The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s review plea to suspend his conviction in a defamation case. The court upheld the conviction of Gandhi by a lower court in 2019.
Gandhi was convicted in the case for making a speech in 2013 in which he accused the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of being involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The lower court had sentenced Gandhi to one-year imprisonment, but he was granted bail.
In his review plea, Gandhi had argued that the lower court had erred in convicting him. He had also argued that the conviction would affect his ability to participate in political activities.
However, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the review plea, saying that there was no merit in Gandhi’s arguments. The court said that the lower court had correctly convicted Gandhi and that the sentence was not excessive.
The dismissal of Gandhi’s review plea is a major setback for him. It means that he will remain convicted of defamation and that he could face imprisonment if he is found to have violated the terms of his bail.
The case has also raised questions about the political impartiality of the Gujarat High Court. Gandhi’s lawyers have alleged that the court was biased against him and that the judges were influenced by political considerations.
The dismissal of Gandhi’s review plea is a reminder of the challenges that political leaders face in India when they speak out against the government. It also shows that the courts are not always willing to protect the right to free speech.
About the Case
The case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by BJP leader Purnesh Modi in 2013. Modi alleged that Gandhi had defamed him by making the speech in which he accused Modi of being involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The lower court convicted Gandhi in 2019 and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment. However, Gandhi was granted bail.
Gandhi challenged the conviction in the Gujarat High Court. His lawyers argued that the lower court had erred in convicting him and that the sentence was excessive.
However, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the review plea, upholding the conviction. The court said that the lower court had correctly convicted Gandhi and that the sentence was not excessive.
The Implications of the Case
The dismissal of Gandhi’s review plea is a major setback for him. It means that he will remain convicted of defamation and that he could face imprisonment if he is found to have violated the terms of his bail.
The case has also raised questions about the political impartiality of the Gujarat High Court. Gandhi’s lawyers have alleged that the court was biased against him and that the judges were influenced by political considerations.
The dismissal of Gandhi’s review plea is a reminder of the challenges that political leaders face in India when they speak out against the government. It also shows that the courts are not always willing to protect the right to free speech.
The Future of the Case
Gandhi’s lawyers have said that they will appeal the decision of the Gujarat High Court to the Supreme Court. It is unclear whether the Supreme Court will hear the appeal.
If the Supreme Court does hear the appeal, it is possible that the conviction could be overturned. However, it is also possible that the Supreme Court could uphold the conviction.
The future of the case is uncertain. However, the dismissal of Gandhi’s review plea is a major setback for him and it has raised questions about the political impartiality of the Gujarat High Court.