AHMEDABAD: An Indian court found opposition leader Rahul Gandhi guilty of defamation over a three-year-old campaign trail comment insinuating Prime Minister Narendra Modi a criminal.
The Gujarat lawsuit is one of numerous against Modi’s biggest opponent in recent years. The premier’s home state accused of manipulating the law to suppress critics.
Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Congress party, sentenced to two years in prison but released after his attorneys appealed.
The 52-year-old inquired why “all thieves have Modi as (their) common surname” during the 2019 election campaign.
His remarks slammed the prime minister, who won the election in a landslip, and people with his surname.
Gandhi’s counsel, B. M. Mangukiya, denied insulting anyone.
Mangukiya told reporters outside the court that Gandhi stated he was striving to expose corruption in the country when the magistrate asked him to defend himself.
His remarks were not intended to offend.
Gandhi is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of former Indian prime ministers, starting with Jawaharlal Nehru.
But the heir of India’s most famous political dynasty has struggled to confront Modi’s electoral juggernaut and nationalist overtures to the Hindu majority.
After two landslide electoral losses under Gandhi, his Congress party, which helped abolish British colonial rule 75 years ago, is a shadow of its former self.
Moreover, Gandhi’s supporters welcomed him to Surat’s court for the verdict.
While, He faces at least two more slander cases nationwide.
Gandhi is on bail in a decade-old money laundering case in India. He denies financial malfeasance.
