"The offence was not against society, not kidnapping, rape, or murder. How can this become an offence involving moral turpitude?" Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Rahul Gandhi, argued.
The notice comes as a significant legal development and sets the stage for a detailed examination of the matter during the scheduled hearing on August 4th.
While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader.
After hearing arguments from both sides, a sessions court in Surat said it would pronounce on April 20 its order on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea for a stay to his conviction in criminal defamation case