NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Gujarat government in connection with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal. He is challenging the Gujarat High Court's decision not to suspend his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case. The case is scheduled for a hearing on August 4.

Earlier, the matter was postponed due to the absence of Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Rahul Gandhi in the court.

The bench assigned to this case comprises of Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi urgently requested a hearing and presented the matter before a bench presided over by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on July 18. Subsequently, the court agreed to hear Gandhi's plea.

The criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, back in 2019.

The lawsuit was triggered by Gandhi's remarks during an election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, on April 13, 2019. During his speech, he referred to businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, both of whom are prominent fugitives wanted in India. It was during this moment that he made a statement about how the surname "Modi" seemed to be common among thieves.

In his appeal, Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns that if the Gujarat High Court's judgment given on July 7 is not stayed, it could lead to curbing free speech, expression, thought, and statements.

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