India's opposition leader appeals against defamation verdict

ANKARA

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday appealed against his conviction and jail sentence after a Gujarat court convicted him in a 2019 defamation case, according to local media.

He was granted bail by a court in western Gujarat state, with his two-year sentence paused till the disposal of the appeal, broadcaster NDTV reported.

Lawyer Rohan Panwala from Gandhi's legal team also told reporters outside the court that they filed an appeal in favor Gandhi "against the conviction and sentence."

"The stay application regarding the sentencing was heard and the bail application was heard. He was granted bail by the honorable court and sentencing was stayed. Now the application for stay of conviction remains, which is next posted on April 13," he said.

Gandhi on Monday afternoon flew from the national capital New Delhi to Surat with a large group of Congress leaders to appear in the court. The ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, called Gandhi's visit to Surat with his sister and several party leaders "a childish attempt" to "bring pressure on the appellate court."

The Indian parliament last month disqualified Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, following a local court in Gujarat convicted Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case where he referred to thieves as having the surname Modi.

In 2019, during the rally, Gandhi then referred to the surname Modi and asked how all thieves had the name Modi.

Since his disqualification from parliament last month, several opposition leaders have rallied their support behind Gandhi.

Gandhi is a scion of India's most famous political dynasty, having been the son, grandson, and great-grandson of former prime ministers.

However, in the last two general elections, his party was crushed by the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier this year, he traveled from the south to the north of the country in a nationwide march to challenge Modi, who is seeking a third consecutive term next year.