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On Tuesday, a petition was lodged with the Supreme Court challenging the validity of Rahul Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament. The petition raises concerns about the notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat that reinstated the Congress leader’s membership. It contends that when a legislator is disqualified due to a court conviction, they should not assume the role of an MP until all charges are cleared.
Rahul Gandhi had received a two-year prison sentence in a criminal defamation case, leading to his disqualification as a parliamentarian under the Representation of People Act, 1951. However, the highest court subsequently temporarily suspended his conviction, leading to the restoration of his Lok Sabha membership.
The petition was submitted by an advocate hailing from Lucknow, who sought the nullification of the Secretariat’s notification reinstating Gandhi’s membership. The plea argued that the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to reinstate Gandhi’s lost membership after a two-year prison sentence was erroneous.
The petition stated, “Rahul Gandhi lost his Lok Sabha membership when he was convicted of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison, and therefore, the Speaker’s decision to restore his membership was incorrect.
