Gujarat HC judge recuses from hearing Rahul Gandhi’s plea

Gujarat High Court judge Justice Gita Gopi recused herself on Wednesday from hearing a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The appeal sought a stay on his conviction by a magistrate court in a criminal defamation case against him. Gandhi’s appeal was mentioned before single judge Justice Gopi, who responded with “not before me” and advised the advocate to approach the acting Chief Justice of the High Court, who can assign another bench for hearing the appeal. Earlier, a sessions court in Surat had dismissed Gandhi’s plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court on April 20. In a detailed order, the sessions court held that Gandhi’s disqualification would not amount to an irreversible loss to him and refused to grant interim relief.