Kathmandu: Following the Supreme Court's decision to stay the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case related to his "Modi surname" comments at an election rally in 2019, Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed his satisfaction with the court's ruling.

Chennithala stated that the highest court of India recognized the attempt to silence Rahul Gandhi, who was speaking out against the actions of the central government.

Chennithala praised the Supreme Court's order, highlighting the happiness of the people of Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi's constituency, upon having their Member of Parliament back to serve them in the Lok Sabha. He demanded an apology from the BJP, as they were attempting to silence Rahul Gandhi.

In response to the interim order, Chennithala assured that the Congress will continue to fight against the mischiefs of the central government.

Earlier, the Supreme Court began hearing Rahul Gandhi's appeal challenging the Gujarat High Court's order, which had declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case. The apex court issued notices to the Gujarat government and the complainant in July in response to the appeal.

In March, a magisterial court convicted Rahul Gandhi for his "Modi surname" remarks made ahead of the 2019 national polls, resulting in his disqualification as MP from Wayanad on March 24. However, the recent Supreme Court's decision provides a major relief to the former Wayanad Lok Sabha MP by staying his conviction in the criminal defamation case.