A Surat court on Thursday sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail after holding him guilty in a criminal defamation case for his remark against Modi surname.

Gandhi was, however, granted bail to enable him file an appeal.

Chief Judicial Magistrate H H Varma pronounced the judgement on the criminal defamation case filed by BJP MLA and former minister Purnesh Modi.

In a political rally in Kolar in Karnataka in April, 2019, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi claimed all thieves had Modi surname.

He also linked Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fugitives like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

"Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have 'Modi' as a common surname," he had asked.

Gandhi had pleaded not guilty in the present case and claimed trial. He had last appeared before the court in October 2021, to record his statement.

The Gujarat High Court had in February vacated the stay on the trial in the defamation case.

Section 500 of IPC carried maximum punishment of two years in jail with or without fine.