Stay of conviction
The stay of conviction by the Supreme Court of India brings much relief to democracy lovers because nobody would have normally taken the remark Mr. Gandhi made in 2019 seriously. No one would have ever thought a defamation case would be filed and, above all, Mr. Gandhi punished for two years, disqualifying him from entering Parliament for eight years. What was more astonishing was that the Surat court and the Gujarat High Court refused to stay the conviction pending appeal for this offence to enable him to attend Parliament.
It was left to the Supreme Court to give Mr. Gandhi much-needed relief which has also shown the judiciary in a good light. He should get back to Parliament with renewed vigour. The entire episode should now result in Parliament seriously reconsidering amending this provision of the Representation of The People Act.
