Surat: As we reported on March 31st , it is now confirmed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will file an appeal in the Surat sessions court on Monday, challenging the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s judgment in which Rahul was sentenced to 2 years in a defamation case.

Gujarat Congress is preparing for the last couple of days to mobilize cadres in support of Rahul Gandhi next to the location of the Supreme Court, opposite Puja Abhishek Apartment at 1.00 pm. The party workers are asked to remain present here to welcome their leader. Rahul’s sister and party general secretary Priyanka Vadra, and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states are also going to accompany Rahul. Sources said, there’s the possibility that Rahul may refuse to take bail.

Gujarat Congress calls for gathering next to the Surat Sessions Court tomorrow as party leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to visit the Sessions court to challenge the lower court judgement ordering two years imprisonment to him pic.twitter.com/j82ED6U47P

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) April 2, 2023

In a 168-page verdict, the Surat court declared 2-year punishment for Rahul Gandhi in the case of defamation filed against him by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi. However, the court has suspended the sentence for 30 days so that Rahul can challenge the verdict in a higher court. The translation of the Gujarati language verdict was completed by 30th March. Rahul Gandhi’s legal team consisting of lawyers from Delhi will handle the case from his side.

Rahul Gandhi will probably seek to stay his conviction in this case to restore his membership of Lok Sabha. Rahul is presently a disqualified MP. He will not be able to contest elections even, unless his conviction is stayed, reversed, or suspended.

While giving the highest sentence to Rahul Gandhi under relevant sections Surat court pointed out that subsequent to his controversial remarks (and written apology in 2018), Supreme Court had asked Rahul Gandhi to stay alert in the future, but it seems his conduct has remained unchanged.

The court also stated in its judgment that the accused is MP and his address to people as MP is very serious because when some person addresses people as being MP, it impacts the people very widely and so if the accused gets lesser punishment, then a wrong message will go among people. The very purpose of defamation(law) will not materialize and any person will easily defame any other person. DeshGujarat