Key Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has lost his parliamentary seat after a court found him guilty of defamation over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname and he was disqualified from the lawmaking body, a parliamentary statement said on Friday.
Gandhi, who represented a constituency in southern Kerala state as a member of the Congress party, was disqualified from his membership in the lower house of Parliament from March 23, the date of his conviction, the statement said.
A court in the western city of Surat sentenced Gandhi to two years in prison on Thursday in the defamation case. But he won't go to jail immediately because the court granted him bail for 30 days to file an appeal against the verdict. If an appeals court sets aside Gandhi's conviction, he can get his seat back.
The case against Gandhi dates back to an election rally in 2019 when he said: "Why do all thieves have Modi as their surname?" In the speech, he went on to name fugitive Indian diamond tycoon Nirav Modi, banned Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi.The defamation case was filed by a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in western Gujarat state. The complainant, Purnesh Modi, said Gandhi's comments had "defamed the entire Modi community.
Gandhi is one of India's main opposition leaders and he will most likely go up against Modi when the prime minister seeks a third term in 2024.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rahul Gandhi gets 2 years for defamation of Indian PM Modi | National NewswatchNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »
Boris Johnson says 'I did not lie' to parliament over lockdown partiesBoris Johnson said he did not lie to parliament over lockdown parties as he fought for his political career at a hearing with lawmakers.
Read more »
Boris Johnson denies misleading Parliament over lockdown parties, could face suspensionJohnson tells parliamentary committee investigating parties at Downing street that he did not mislead MPs and events were necessary work functions
Read more »
Boris Johnson says 'I did not lie' to parliament over lockdown partiesBoris Johnson said he did not lie to parliament over lockdown parties as he fought for his political career at a hearing with lawmakers.
Read more »
An unbreakable friendship: A look at past U.S. presidential addresses to ParliamentOTTAWA — United States President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech to Parliament on Friday, becoming the ninth president to address Canadians in Ottawa.
Read more »
An unbreakable friendship: A look at past U.S. presidential addresses to ParliamentUnited States President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech to Parliament on Friday, becoming the ninth president to address Canadians in Ottawa. Here's a look back at past presidential speeches and the eras that defined them.
Read more »