SURAT: On the 20th of this month, the court will decide on the appeal petition filed by Rahul Gandhi against the verdict of the Surat Magistrate's Court. Rahul was sentenced to two years imprisonment in the defamation case by the Court. Today, the court heard detailed arguments on the petition but did not grant a stay. The Sessions Court said it will pass its order on April 20 in the appeal against the guilty verdict. The case was heard by Sessions Court Judge Robin Mogera.

The Sessions Court had stayed the execution of the two-year prison sentence awarded by the Magistrate Court, but the disqualification from the post of MP would be lifted only if the verdict of guilty is stayed. Rahul Gandhi filed two petitions, one against the conviction and one against the execution of the sentence. Rahul's lawyer argued that the offense was not so serious that a stay could not be granted
. It was also argued that the court should use its discretion to grant a stay. Rahul's lawyer told the court that the case was filed against him for criticizing the Prime Minister and that the speech should be re-examined and some words had been cut out and paraphrased from the speech.

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi filed the defamation case against Rahul in 2019 for the speech he made during an election rally in Kolar, Karnataka. The case was registered in Surat, Gujarat for the speech in Kolar. During the speech, Rahul asked how all the thieves are named Modi. If there is no stay order, Rahul's disqualification will continue and the stage will be set for a by-election in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.