Rahul Gandhi Disqualified From Lok Sabha Over Conviction In 'Modi Surname' Defamation Case

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark, on March 23, reported ANI.

Pic Credit: File Photo

New Delhi: Congress party's Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark, on March 23, the Lok Sabha Secretariat stated, reported PTI. He was found guilty in the case on Thursday (March 23) and sentenced to 2 years in prison. However, he is currently out on bail. Congress leaders across states strongly protested against the verdict.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reacted to this development by saying that Congress "will fight this battle both legally and politically." In a tweet, he further said, "We will not be intimidated or silenced. Instead of a JPC into the PM-linked Adani MahaMegaScam, Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti."

We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We will not be intimidated or silenced. Instead of a JPC into the PM-linked Adani MahaMegaScam, @RahulGandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/d8GmZjUqd5 — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 24, 2023

A case was filed against Rahul Gandhi by BJP MLA and former Gujarat Purnesh Modi in 2019 for allegedly making objectionable remarks against people with the 'Modi surname'. During a rally ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, Gandhi had allegedly said, "How come all thieves have Modi in their surnames." 

Rahul Gandhi - Congress MP from Wayanad, Kerala - disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha following his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark. pic.twitter.com/SQ1xzRZAot — ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2023

A day before Rahul Gandhi was disqualified, noted lawyer and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal had said that Congress MP from Wayanad, Kerala stands automatically disqualified as a Member of Parliament after his conviction by a court in Gujarat’s Surat in a criminal defamation case.

Gandhi had attended Lok Sabha proceedings on Friday, a day after his conviction. The Congress Wayanad MP was also seen attending a meeting of party MPs before the start of the House proceedings. Congress Parliamentary Party Chief Sonia Gandhi was also present during the meeting. The House was adjourned seconds after convening amid ruckus over various issues, and Rahul Gandhi left Parliament soon after that.