Logo

Logo

AAP MLAs’ disqualification: Delhi HC refuses interim relief; next hearing on Jan 22

The Delhi High Court on Friday (19 January) refused to grant interim relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in…

AAP MLAs’ disqualification: Delhi HC refuses interim relief; next hearing on Jan 22

Delhi High Court (Photo: Facebook)

The Delhi High Court on Friday (19 January) refused to grant interim relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in its appeal against the disqualification of 20 of its MLAs.

Earlier today, the Election Commission (EC) recommended the disqualification of the MLAs on the ground that they held office of profit as Principal Secretaries.

Some AAP MLAs had approached the High Court challenging the recommendation. Their petition was placed in front of a bench headed by acting chief Justice Gita Mittal.

Advertisement

The High Court has asked the EC’s counsel to inform it whether the recommendation for disqualification has been made to the President. The HC has posted the matter for hearing on Monday.

The EC has submitted its recommendation to President Ram Nath Kovind. The autonomous constitutional authority responsible for elections across India has refused to comment on the recommendation.

While Congress and the BJP spoke in unison in support of the EC recommendation, the AAP, expectedly, opposed the same.

Both the Congress and the BJP demanded the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. But the AAP claimed it had not been given a chance to present its case.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support to Kejriwal. In a tweet she indirectly targeted the BJP for using a constitutional body for “political vendetta”.

“This goes against the principles of natural justice. At this hour we are strongly with @arvindkejriwal and his team,” she wrote.

Advertisement