A sessions court in Surat city of Gujarat on Thursday commenced hearing on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark in which he has been sentenced to two years in jail.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and complainant Purnesh Modi, in his reply filed earlier in the same court, opposed Gandhi's plea for a stay on conviction saying the Congress leader is a "repetitive offender" who is in the habit of making defamatory statements.
On Thursday, arguments from both sides commenced in the court of Additional Sessions Judge RP Mogera.
"The court will first hear the arguments put forward by Rahul Gandhi's lawyers seeking a stay on his conviction. After that, we will put forth our objections and arguments against their plea for a stay on conviction," Purnesh Modi's lawyer Ketan Reshamwala said before entering the courtroom.
A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail after holding him guilty for his remark "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname", made during an election rally on April 13, 2019.
Mr Gandhi has filed an appeal before Judge Mogera against the verdict. He has also prayed for a stay on the conviction in the meantime.
In his appeal, Gandhi has termed his conviction as "erroneous" and patently perverse.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
"Reforms Focus Not For Editorials, But To Make Country Strong": PM's I-Day Speech
"Freedom Is Our Shield": Rahul Gandhi's Independence Day Message To Nation "Attempt To Save Accused Instead Of...": Rahul Gandhi On Doctor Rape-Murder BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For "Seeding Doubt" About Indian Stock Markets 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond In PM Modi's Independence Day Speech, A Call For "24x7 For 2047" Oropouche Virus Kills 2 In Brazil: All About The Rare Disease Punjab Toll Plaza Blunder: Man Charged Rs 220 While Relaxing At Home Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.