Rahul Gandhi was recently disqualified as a parliament MP after the Gujarat's court order.
The hearing in the case challenging Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 2019 defamation case will next be held on May 3 at the Surat District and Sessions Court, which on Monday extended his bail till April 13. After the Surat court's verdict, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as MP from Lok Sabha.
The former Congress president, sources say, requested for an interim stay on the conviction which would also restore his Lok Sabha membership.
Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Chief Ministers of three Congress-ruled states - Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu - are also in Gujarat for Mr Gandhi's "moral support".
The BJP called Mr Gandhi's visit to Surat with his sister and some party leaders as "a childish attempt" to pressurise the judiciary.
Here are the Highlights on Rahul Gandhi defamation case:
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Just In: Surat Sessions court admits appeal of Rahul Gandhi, grants bail in the criminal defamation case appeal.
Two years sentence suspended till the disposal of appeal.
JUST IN: Rahul Gandhi granted bail. Next hearing on April 13
Rahul Gandhi files appeal in defamation case.
JUST IN: Rahul Gandhi arrives at Surat Sessions Court.
Maharashtra Congress MLA alleges she was stopped by cops on her way to Surat
Maharashtra Congress MLA and former cabinet minister Yashomati Thakur has alleged that she was stopped by Gujarat Police several time while she was going to Gujarat to extend moral support to Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi reaches Surat, to reach court shortly
Rahul Gandhi has reached Surat. The Congress leader is expected to reach the Surat court at 2:45 PM, say sources.
Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a court and sentenced to prison for two years in Gujarat last month for a 2019 speech in which he linked PM Modi's last name with two fugitive businessmen, remarking how the "thieves" shared the same last name.
The court, however, granted him bail for 30 days to appeal the verdict.
Tripura Congress to take out rally to protest Rahul Gandhi's disqualification on April 16
The Congress Tripura unit will take out a rally here on April 16 to protest Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, said state party president Birajit Sinha. Thousands of Congress workers will gather here on April 16 to participate in the protest rally, he told PTI on Monday.
Congress doing drama to...: BJP leader on Congress's show of strength for Rahul Gandhi
The BJP called Rahul Gandhi's visit to Surat with his sister and some party leaders as "a childish attempt" to pressure the court. "They (Congress) are doing a drama to threaten the judiciary. I condemn it. If a court has convicted somebody, then the drama is basically about pressuring. Congress party considers a family above the country," senior BJP leader and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, according to ANI.
Rahul Gandhi and his sister reach Delhi airport. The Chief Ministers of three Congress-ruled states - Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu are also expected in Surat to lend moral support to the Congress leader .
Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as he left his residence for Surat. The two Congress leaders are expected to take a flight from the Delhi airport to Surat.
Rahul Gandhi leaves for Surat
Rahul Gandhi has left for Surat to appeal against his conviction and two-year- sentence in a defamation case. The Congress leader, sources say, will also ask for an interim stay on the conviction which would also restore his Lok Sabha membership.
Rahul Gandhi will be represented in the court by senior advocate RS Cheema.
Congress leaders in Surat to lend moral support to Rahul Gandhi: Party chief
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that party leaders are going to Surat to lend moral support to the Congress leader. "There is no show of strength in Surat. Our leaders are going there for Rahul's moral support," he told reporters.
Rahul Gandhi will be accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the Chief Ministers of three Congress-ruled states - Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a parliament MP after the Gujarat's court sentenced him to two-years in a 2019 defamation case.
Rahul Gandhi will seek stay on conviction: Sources
Rahul Gandhi, sources say, will also ask for an interim stay on the conviction which would also restore his Lok Sabha membership.
Rahul Gandhi in Surat court today to challenge convictionRahul Gandhi will appear in a Gujarat court today to appeal against his conviction and two-year sentencing in a 2019 defamation case. The Congress leader will appeal to the sessions court in Surat to set aside the Magistrate order convicting him in the defamation case for a remark seen as an insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.