Rahul Gandhi summoned by Patna court on May 20 in defamation case filed by Sushil Modi

A Patna Court on Saturday summoned Congress president Rahul Gandhi, asking him to be present on May 20 in connection with a defamation case filed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Shashikant Roy passed the order taking cognizance of the allegations made by the deputy chief minister, who had taken exception to Gandhi's remark "all thieves have the surname Modi" at a political rally.

Addressing an election rally in Karnataka’s Kollar district, the Gandhi scion attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over corruption and asked how all "thieves" have 'Modi' as the common surname, referring to fugitive businessman Nirav Modi and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, both of whom have fled the country.

A Patna Court summons Congress President Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on May 20, in connection with defamation suit against him by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi. pic.twitter.com/uAKLJDoAWv

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2019

The Bihar deputy chief minister, however, has claimed that his image has been tarnished by the Congress chief's remark since he shared the same surname. Appearing before the court on Friday, Modi also alleged that he felt humiliated and ridiculed by the statement and that it was tantamount to defamation.

Roy, while transferring the matter for further hearing to the court of Additional CJM Kumar Gunjan, directed Gandhi to appear in person on the next date of hearing on May 20.

A separate case has been registered against the Congress chief for repeatedly asking his audience to chant 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' during a rally in Samastipur. RJD leader Tejshwi Yadav was also present at the meeting and has been named in the case registered by an advocate in Ara Civil Court.