India's Congress leader sentenced to jail for Modi 'thieves' remark; 30 Days To Appeal

India's Congress leader sentenced to jail for Modi 'thieves' remark. 2 Years Jail In 'Modi Surname' Case, 30 Days To Appeal

The reason for the 2 years imprisonment is the case in Surat court. The Congress MP was convicted by the court in Gujarat state for 2019 comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname at an election rally.

Mr Gandhi, who was present in court for sentencing, remains out of jail on bail for 30 days and will appeal. Rahul's controversial speech was 'How did all the thieves get the name Modi'? Rahul was found guilty by the Surat court which heard the complaint.

After the court verdict, he got Rahul bail. The verdict was against Rahul Gandhi's remarks against the Modi community. Rahul Gandhi also came to Surat to hear the verdict. Rahul Gandhi got bail from the court itself. The verdict will be appealed.

The essence of the speech

All thieves have Modi in their name. Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How did all these thieves get the name Modi...If we keep searching, more thieves will come out in the names of Modis...Rahul's speech said.

The case alleges that Rahul Gandhi insulted the Modi community during his speech in Kolar, Karnataka on April 13, 2019. BJP MLA Purnesh Modi filed the complaint in the court.

His party accused Mr Modi's government of targeting him. General elections are due next year. A Congress spokesman said the ruling was full of "legally unsustainable conclusions" - and vowed its politicians would not be silenced.

"Make no mistake. All your attempts to create a chilling effect, a throttling effect, a strangulating effect on open fearless speech relating to public influence will not stop either Rahul Gandhi or the Congress Party," Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a news conference.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says due judicial process has been followed in the case, which dates back to the campaign ahead of the last election.