New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, who caused a major setback for the Congress party, was sentenced to two years in prison in a criminal defamation case in 2019.
The 52-year-old leader was granted bail and the court suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

According to the Representation of the People Act, a person sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more shall be disqualified “from the date of such conviction” and shall be ineligible for a further six years after serving the term.

Here is what the Surat court said while convicting the Congress leader:

* “Though the accused was warned and admonished by the Supreme Court, there was no change in conduct.”

* “The accused is an MP, he speaks to the people in his capacity as an MP and affects a large section of the society, so the effect of this offense is very extensive in this case.”

* “Giving him a reduced sentence would set a bad precedent and send a negative message in society.”

BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Poornesh Modi has filed a complaint against the Congress leader.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi reportedly mentioned Modi’s surname at a rally in Kolar, Karnataka.

In his first reaction to the Surat court verdict, Mr Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s tweet about truth and non-violence in Hindi.

“My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God and non-violence is the means to attain it. — Mahatma Gandhi,” the Congress leader tweeted.

The 1951 Representation of the People Act calls for Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a Member of Parliament for two years in prison. A Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature commits any offense and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than two years. Disqualified from the date of conviction.