Rahul Gandhi Disqualified As MP After “Bizarre” Sentence, Says Kapil Sibal.

New Delhi: Former Union law minister and legal eminence Kapil Sibal stated today that while Rahul Gandhi of the Congress is automatically disqualified from serving as an MP due to his two-year prison term, the sentence itself is “bizarre.” A Gujarati court found Mr. Gandhi guilty of remarking Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was released on bail and given 30 days to file an appeal.

Throughout the day, people have conjectured whether Mr. Gandhi’s conviction would prevent him from serving in the Lok Sabha.

Mr. Sibal, a former Congressman and one of the nation’s most well-known lawyers, was adamant that Mr. Gandhi was ineligible for office following the law.

“It is insufficient if the court only suspends the sentence. Conviction must be either suspended or stayed. Only if the conviction is put on hold can Rahul Gandhi continue serving in the legislature “Sibal, Mr.

According to the law, he said the seat would become vacant after a two-year sentence for any offense. The Speaker will naturally act according to the law as it requires.

The Supreme Court had decided in the Lily Thomas v. Union of India case in 2013 that “any MP, MLA or MLC who is convicted of a crime and given a minimum of 2 years’ jail loses membership in the House with immediate effect.”

The Representation of the People Act’s Section 8(4), which gave elected officials three months to appeal their conviction, was struck down by the court for being “unconstitutional” and was thus repealed.

However, Mr. Sibal also referred to the Surat court’s decision as “bizarre.”

“For a statement made in respect of certain individuals, for him to be convicted for two years — it is totally bizarre,” said the senior leader, who had quit the Congress in May last year amid much bitterness and started his new platform “Insaaf ki Sipahi (platform for justice).”

Asked about the BJP stance that Mr. Gandhi’s comment was against a caste and community, he said, “What community? It was against an individual. They may say anything, but I’m telling you it was against an individual”.

In its judgment, the Surat court had said although Mr. Gandhi was “warned and advised by the Supreme Court,” there is no evidence of any change in his conduct.