It's 2017 not 1817: Rahul Gandhi attacks Vasundhara Raje over new Gag law

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has attacked Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over a controversial ordinance, pointing out that the year was "2017, not 1817".

Madam Chief Minister, with all humility we are in the 21st century. Its 2017, not 1817,? Gandhi tweeted.

He also tagged a news report titled Rajasthan ordinance is against free speech, say legal experts?. The report said the ordinance prohibited an investigation without prior sanction against judicial officers and public servants and also restricted the media.

It said under the proposed law, the media cannot report on accusations against magistrates and others until the prosecution gets the go-ahead from the sanctioning authority.

The state government said in a release last night there was no provision in the ordinance to protect corrupt officials.

The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, promulgated on September 7, also seeks to bar the media from reporting on accusations till the sanction to proceed with the probe is obtained.

"No magistrate shall order an investigation nor will any investigation be conducted against a person, who is or was a judge or a magistrate or a public servant," reads the ordinance which provides 180 days immunity to the officers.

PTI