Modi surname case: No coercive action against Rahul Gandhi, directs Jharkhand HC

Jharkhand High Court directed for no coercive action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the PM Modi surname case. The next hearing will be on August 16.

Rahul Gandhi, has been granted relief by the Jharkhand High Court. The court has issued interim orders to prevent any actions, such as issuing a warrant, against Rahul Gandhi until further notice, reported Hindustan Times.

Also read: Modi surname case: Gujarat HC refuses interim protection to Rahul Gandhi

The case stems from comments made by Rahul Gandhi in 2018 regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last name and inappropriate remarks about the BJP president. BJP activists filed petitions against Rahul Gandhi, prompting the Jharkhand High Court to take up the matter. In response, the court has temporarily prohibited any action against Rahul Gandhi and adjourned the next hearing to August 16.

Also read: Gujarat HC to hear Rahul Gandhi's plea on 'Modi surname' defamation case today

During a speech in Ranchi, Rahul Gandhi remarked, "In this country, it is possible for a murderer to become the president of a party only in BJP. Such a thing is impossible in Congress." These comments led to multiple cases being filed against him in various Jharkhand courts, including the Ranchi Civil Court, which issued a warrant.

A defamation case is filed against him for making derogatory remarks about the Modi surname. During his campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi allegedly stated, “Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi... how come they all have Modi as the common surname. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?”

Rahul Gandhi has faced legal repercussions in a separate case in Gujarat. The Surat court had sentenced him to two years in jail for making inappropriate comments about Prime Minister Modi's surname. Rahul Gandhi appealed this verdict in the high court. However, based on the Surat court's judgment, the government declared him ineligible for Lok Sabha membership under the Representation of the People Act, reported Hindustan Times.