New Delhi/IBNS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was recently disqualified from the Parliament after being sentenced to two years of jail term over a 2019 defamation case, will challenge his conviction and sentencing in the Surat sessions court on Monday, media reports said. 

In his plea, the former Congress president has asked the sessions court to set aside the magistrate order convicting him in the defamation case.

He also asked for an interim stay on the conviction till the matter is disposed of.

Rahul Gandhi was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

However, he was suspended by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

Opposition leaders questioned the "bullet train" speed with which action was taken against him.

Unless Gandhi's conviction is put on hold by a higher court, the Election Commission will announce a special election for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

He will also not be allowed to contest elections for the next eight years.

Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to a 2-year jail sentence in the 2019 defamation case for his remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign, the Gandhi scion had said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname."

A complaint, which was lodged by BJP leader Purnesh Modi, claimed Rahul had defamed the entire Modi community.