Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the people of Wayanad, Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency, can now rejoice as their representation in Parliament has been restored.
Another former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, said that she is glad that Gandhi will be back in Parliament to fight for the “idea of India”.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani said that justice has prevailed.
The Supreme Court stayed Gandhi’s conviction in the case over his remark about the Modi surname. The court said that there is no doubt that the utterances were not in good taste, but that a person in public life is expected to exercise caution while making public speeches.
The court also said that no reason had been given by the trial judge for imposing the maximum sentence, and that the order of conviction needs to be stayed pending final adjudication.
The decision of the Supreme Court has been welcomed by political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, who have said that justice has prevailed.
