Rahul Gandhi pleads 'not guilty' in defamation case over 'Modi thieves' remark
Surat : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appeared before the Surat Court to plead not guilty in a defamation case filed after he allegedly said, "... all thieves have Modi as common surname" at an election rally ahead of Lok Sabha Polls.
He also filed an application of exemption from all future court proceedings in the matter. The court will reply to his application on December 10 for which his physical presence will not be required in the Surat court premises.
"I am in Surat today to appear in a defamation case filed against me by my political opponents, desperate to silence me. I am grateful for the love and support of the Congress workers who have gathered here to express their solidarity with me," Mr Gandhi, 49, tweeted this morning.
I am in Surat today to appear in a defamation case filed against me by my political opponents, desperate to silence me.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 10, 2019
I am grateful for the love & support of the Congress workers who have gathered here to express their solidarity with me. #SatyamevJayate pic.twitter.com/HZmAcEhciu
"Rahul Gandhi was summoned so he came at the Surat Court. Let the law take its time and course. We will act in accordance of the judges ruling," Ahmed Patel was quoted by news agency ANI.
A summons had been issued to Rahul Gandhi in May after a complaint was filed by a local BJP leader under sections of the Indian Penal Code that deal with criminal defamation. In his complaint, Purnesh Modi, the Surat (West) MLA alleged Mr Gandhi had defamed the Modi community with his remark.
" Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi... how come they all have Modi as common surname? How come all thieves have Modi as common surname?" Mr Gandhi asked the crowd at a rally in the state's Kolar district.
