Modi surname case: Judge opts out from hearing Rahul Gandhi's appeal seeking stay

NEW DELHI: Justice Geeta Gopi, who was supposed to hear Rahul Gandhi's appeal seeking a stay on conviction by a Magistrate court, has recused from hearing it. The appeal was filed in the Gujarat High Court against the Surat court verdict for Rahul making defamatory remarks against the Modi community. The reason for withdrawing from the case is unclear.

The Surat CJM court had sentenced Rahul to two years in prison in a defamation case filed by former Gujarat minister Poornesh Modi. As the Surat Sessions Court did not stay the verdict, Rahul Gandhi approached the High Court with a revision petition. The case was listed before the single bench of Gita Gopi.

With Justice Gita Gopi opting out, consideration of Rahul Gandhi's appeal will be prolonged. The Gujarat High Court will consider Rahul's appeal again after it is listed before another bench.

At the same time, the Patna High Court had stayed further proceedings in a similar defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in the Patna Special Court regarding the Modi remark. The interim stay is till May 15. A detailed argument will also be heard. Justice Sandeep Kumar's action is on the petition filed by Rahul against BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi's defamation case.