Rahul Gandhi exempted from personal appearance in 'Modi surname' defamation case

Surat: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was Tuesday granted exemption from personal appearance by a court in Surat in a criminal defamation case filed by a Gujarat MLA over his "Modi surname" remark. The court posted the matter for further hearing on 10 October.

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate BH Kapadia last week had issued summons to Gandhi after finding that there was prima facie a case of criminal defamation against him under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Gandhi's lawyer Kirit Panwala moved the exemption application, saying his client received summons only a few days back and it was difficult for him to appear personally at such a short notice owing to his prior commitments.