Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, thanked people for their support after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in a defamation case.
The apex court stayed Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case over his Modi surname remark, paving the way for the revival of his Lok Sabha membership.
Truth always triumphs, the Congress leader said. "My path is clear. I have clarity in my mind about what I have to do and what my work is. I thank the people who helped us. I also thank the people for their love and support," Gandhi added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said this victory was not just for Gandhi but for the people of the country and democracy. "This is the victory of people, the victory of voters, the victory of voters of Wayanad," Kharge said.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi had tweeted saying, “Come what may, my duty remains the same. Protect the idea of India."
A three-judge bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, P.S. Narasimha and Sanjay Kumar, on Friday, said no reason was given by the trial court judge while convicting Gandhi except that he was admonished by the apex court in a contempt case.
The top court was hearing a plea by Gandhi challenging the Gujarat High Court verdict which dismissed his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the defamation case filed by Purnesh Modi over his "Modi surname" remark.
Gandhi had persistently refused to apologise for his remark but urged the Supreme Court to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case stemming from his comment, asserting he is not guilty.
