Rahul Gandhi Denied Interim Relief By Gujarat HC

New Delhi: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday rejected Rahul Gandhi’s plea for an interim injunction against his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark.

The court of Justice Hemant Prachchhak announced on the second day of the hearing of Gandhi’s appeal appealing a Surat court’s denial to grant a stay on his conviction that the decision wouldn’t be made until after the summer break. Justice Prachchhak will be unavailable beginning on May 4 due to international travel, and the high court will be closed from May 8 to June 4 for the summer vacation period.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel, asked for interim relief after the judge stated when a decision will be rendered. Prior to making the final decision in the case that was heard by a Surat magistrate court, Justice Prachchhak stated that he wanted to review the entire trial record. He has since made the request for that to happen.

Meanwhile, complainant Purnesh Modi’s counsel Tuesday argued that the Congress leader’s stand in the courtroom is different from that in public. The counsel also said it was fine for Gandhi to be a “motormouth” but then he should not approach the court seeking relief like a “crybaby”.