Rahul Gandhi's appeal argues that the disqualification of an elected representative "essentially interferes with the choice of the electorate in a free and fair election".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday moved a Surat court against his conviction in a defamation case
and said that he was “treated harshly at the stage of determination of sentence taking into account his position as Member of Parliament” and that the maximum sentence has caused him “irreparable loss”.
In his appeal before the Surat district and sessions court against his two-year conviction,
Gandhi also stated it seemed “reasonable to argue” that the maximum sentence awarded to him was to “attract the order of disqualification (as an MP)”.
“Not only is the excessive sentence contrary to the law on the subject but is also unwarranted in the present case which has overriding political overtones,” the appeal says.