Rahul Gandhi appeals defamation conviction

SURAT: High Indian opposition chief Rahul Gandhi appealed on Monday towards the defamation conviction that resulted in his expulsion from parliament two weeks in the past.

Gandhi, 52, who was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in a case about remarks he made in 2019 seen as insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people sharing his surname, is seeking to overturn the conviction earlier than elections due subsequent 12 months.

The sentence additionally renders Gandhi ineligible to face within the ballot, which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Occasion is broadly anticipated to win convincingly.

Modi’s authorities is broadly accused of utilizing the defamation legislation to silence critics, and the case within the premier’s dwelling state of Gujarat is one in every of a number of lodged towards his chief opponent in recent times.

“It is a struggle towards the period of favouring buddies, saving democracy. On this regard fact is my weapon, fact is my sanctuary,” Gandhi tweeted after submitting his attraction to the courtroom in Surat.

It’s scheduled to be heard subsequent week.

Critics say the defamation conviction got here after Gandhi repeatedly raised the difficulty of Modi’s relationship with enterprise tycoon Gautam Adani each inside and outdoors parliament.