Rahul Gandhi defamation case: LIVE UPDATES from Surat Sessions Court on plea for stay of conviction

A Sessions Court in Surat is hearing an appeal by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenging his conviction by a magistrate court in a criminal defamation case for his "all thieves have Modi surname" remark.

Judge Robin Mogera is specifically hearing Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction.

The sessions court had earlier this month extended the bail granted to Gandhi by the magistrate court till today.

The now disqualified parliamentarian from Wayanad, Kerala was convicted by a magistrate court on March 23 for his controversial remark "All thieves have Modi surname."

Gandhi had, in a political campaign in 2019 in Kolar, Karnataka, linked Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fugitives like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

He had said, "Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have 'Modi' as a common surname?"

Purnesh Modi, a former BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), took exception to the said speech claiming that Gandhi humiliated and defamed persons with the Modi surname.

The magistrate court in Surat accepted the contention of Modi that by his speech, Gandhi has intentionally insulted the people with a 'Modi' surname.

The magistrate court had said that Rahul Gandhi, through his statement, had insulted all persons with the Modi surname for his political interest.

As a result of his conviction, Gandhi was disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP.

Gandhi then moved the Surat sessions court challenging his conviction, through a legal team of Senior Advocate RS Cheema and Advocates Kirit Panwala and Tarannum Cheema.

Live updates from the hearing below.