'Drama, childish attempt to bring pressure on court,' Rijiju on Rahul Gandhi going to Surat to file appeal

NEW DELHI: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday termed Rahul Gandhi's proposed move to go personally before a sessions court to file an appeal along with a group of Congress leaders as a "drama" and a "childish attempt to bring pressure on the appellate court".

Top Congress leader Gandhi was held guilty of criminal defamation by a Surat court on March 23 and awarded a term of two years jail, resulting into his disqualification as Wayanad MP from Lok Sabha a day later. His jail term was suspended for 30 days to enable to file an appeal.

After more than 10 days of his conviction, Gandhi's team of legal counsel decided to file the appeal and it was reported that he would personally be present before the sessions court during the proceedings to seek a stay on conviction to restore his membership in Parliament.

In a tweet, Rijiju said, "Rahul Gandhi might be going to Surat to file an Appeal. It is not required of a convict to go personally to file an Appeal.  Generally, no convict goes personally. His going personally with a motley group of leaders and aides accompanying him is only a drama."

"What Rahul Gandhi is doing is also a childish attempt to bring pressure on the appellate court. All courts in the country are immune from such tactics," he added.