In the Indian States of Gujarat, a lower court in Surat district has rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's petition seeking a stay of conviction in a defamation case to avert ban on contesting election next year.

He was convicted last month in a case brought by a state lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party  after comments he made that were deemed to be insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rahul Gandhi said he will challenge the decision in Gujarat High Court tomorrow.