New Delhi: In a major relief for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed his conviction in the defamation case over the use of ‘Modi’ surname. However, the top court, while staying the conviction by a Gujarat court, advised Gandhi to be careful about his public speeches in future. The Congress lost little time to have a go at the Centre claiming the Supreme Court ruling as a “victory of the truth”.


Noting that his remarks were “not in good taste”, the apex court observed that the Congress leader needed to exercise better “discretion” while making public speeches.


"There is no doubt that utterances are not in good taste, person in public life is expected to exercise caution while making public speeches. No specific reason has been granted by trial judge to impose maximum sentence apart from a comment by this court. Had the sentence been even a day lesser, the provisions (pertaining to disqualification) would not have applied," Justice BR Gavai, who was part of the three-judge bench, said.


The order came on a petition filed by the Congress challenging his conviction by the Gujarat court.


Here are the key points:



  • Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party will wait and watch how long the Speaker takes to reinstate Gandhi’s membership of the Lok Sabha. “It remains to be seen how long does the SC order take to reach the Lok Sabha. We have waited so long. We can wait a little more. But we are now closely watching the situation and want to see how long does it take for Lok Sabha to reinstate him," Kharge said, adding, "This is the victory of the common people. This is not just Rahul Gandhi's victory, this is the victory of all the people of the country, victory of democracy and of constitutional principles.”

  • At the same presser, Gandhi said, “The truth had to come out someday. I have clarity on what I have to do. I thank the people for their love and support.”

  • Even as the Congress hailed the Supreme Court ruling, BJP leader Amit Malviya said Gandhi was “on thin ice” as several other defamation cases against him are pending arbitration. Taking to Twitter, he posted, “Rahul Gandhi may have survived this one but for how long? On an earlier occasion, no less than the Supreme Court had pulled him up for attributing, wrongly to them, an observation, they had not made. Besides, there are several other criminal defamation cases pending against Rahul Gandhi… Rahul Gandhi is on thin ice here. But for now the Parliament can do with some levity.”





  • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, welcomed the top court ruling saying, “I welcome Hon'ble Supreme Court's intervention in an unjust defamation case against Rahul Gandhi ji. It reinforces people's trust in Indian democracy and the judicial system. Congratulations to him and to the people of Wayanad.”

  • Gandhi, or his representative, will have to show a copy of the Supreme Court’s ruling to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, which had stripped him off his membership of the Lower House in order for him to return as an MP, reported news agency PTI. Former Lok Sabha Secretary General P D T Achari was quoted as telling PTI that once the secretariat gets the order, it would initiate the process to issue a notification revoking his disqualification.