State facts behind AAP MLAs’ disqualification: Delhi HC asks EC

The Bench said it wanted to respond to some of the allegations made in the MLAs’ pleas challenging their disqualification from the Delhi Assembly

Representational Image/ File image/ PTI

Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to state the factual aspects behind its decision to disqualify the 20 AAP MLAs. A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar asked the poll panel to file the affidavit after the EC said it wanted to respond to some of the allegations made in the MLAs’ pleas challenging their disqualification from the Delhi Assembly. The Commission also told the court that it would rely upon its opinion given to the President to disqualify the 20 AAP MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries. ALSO READ: Kasganj violence: Those spreading anarchy will not be spared, warns CM Adityanath The matter was now listed by the court for further hearing on February 7. By then the MLAs have to file their responses to the EC affidavit. The court also extended till then the January 24 interim order of the single judge restraining the EC from issuing any notification announcing bye-elections to fill the vacancies of the 20 Assembly seats whose legislators have been disqualified. The matter was transferred to a Division Bench on January 29 after advocate Prashant Patel, on whose plea the EC had recommended the MLAs disqualification which received the presidential nod, moved an application for transfer of the matter to a Division Bench.