Sibal slams conviction, says unfortunate that court procedures used for political agendas
SC relief to Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): With the Supreme Court staying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday said he had stated earlier that the conviction was unwarranted and rued that "court procedures are used for political agendas".
Gandhi on Friday got a huge relief from the Supreme Court after it stayed his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark and paved the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP.
The stay which will also enable Gandhi, 53, to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was given on the grounds the the trial court in Surat in Gujarat failed to explain why he deserved the maximum two-year punishment upon his conviction that led to his disqualification from the Lower House of Parliament.
The top court also noted that the sentence would not have attracted disqualification had it been a day lesser.
In a tweet, Sibal said, "Supreme Court stays Rahul's conviction. On the day Rahul was convicted I publicly said the conviction is unwarranted and will not stand. The reason I gave is what the Supreme Court said yesterday."
"Unfortunate that court procedures are used for political agendas!" he said.
Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support.
He has floated a non-electoral platform 'Insaaf' aimed at fighting injustice.
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Delhi to have 106 additional buses, 60 extra trips by metro trains to combat air pollution
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said an additional 106 cluster buses would ply in the city while metro trains would make 60 extra trips in view of GRAP-3 measures imposed due to worsening air quality.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed GRAP 3 measures as the national capital recorded the worst pollution levels in the country, with the air quality remaining in the "severe" category for two consecutive days.
On Friday too the city's air quality was in the severe category with an AQI of 411.
In a press briefing, Rai said interstate buses except for e-buses and CNG vehicles have been banned. Additionally, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers have been prohibited, he said.
To boost public transport and reduce the use of private vehicles, the minister announced the introduction of an additional 106 cluster bus services by the Delhi Transport Corporation and 60 additional trips by metro trains.
Emergency measures, such as artificial rain, will be considered if the air quality deteriorates further, the minister said, adding that he would Centre about it again.
Private construction and demolition activities have been banned under GRAP III measures, he said.
"We are working on making GRAP-3 measures more effective in Delhi," Rai said and urged people to use bicycles to travel short distances, rely on public transport and carpool or work from home whenever possible.
He added that an inter-departmental meeting was held on Friday with officials from the MCD, PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, transport, DTC, Metro, Education, and other departments concerned to strengthen the winter action plan.
