<span style="color: #222222;">A Patna court has directed Congress president Rahul Gandhi to appear in person next month in connection with a defamation suit filed against him by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The court directed Mr Gandhi to appear before it on the 20th of next month.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Chief Judicial Magistrate Shashikant Roy passed the order taking cognizance of the allegations made by the state deputy chief minister who took exception to Mr Gandhi's remark at a rally that all thieves have the surname Modi.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Appearing before a court in Patna on Friday in pursuance of his defamation suit against Rahul Gandhi, the Deputy CM said his image has been tarnished by the Congress chief's objectionable remark.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The senior BJP leader requested the court to take cognisance of the comment under sections 499 and 500 of the IPC which relate to defamation.</span><br />