Gujarat HC refuses to grant Rahul stay on conviction

The Gujarat high court has refused to put on hold Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case. The court ruled that Gandhi’s offence involved “moral turpitude” and that he had “breached modesty”. The verdict has sparked a political row, with the Congress saying it will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called Gandhi a “habitual offender”. The high court’s decision means Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha will continue, but he can contest the next Lok Sabha elections if he gets a stay on his conviction.