AAP TAKES BACK PLEA FROM COURT

The 20 disqualified AAP MLAs on Monday withdrew their application from the Delhi High Court challenging the EC’s recommendation in the office-of-profit case, saying they would file a fresh plea after examining the notification for their disqualification.

Justice Rekha Palli allowed the MLAs to withdraw their plea.

Advocate Amit Sharma, appearing for the EC, also said that in view of the government notification after the President’s assent, the applications have become infructuous.

The legislators had filed the applications in the main pending petition in which they had challenged the EC’s stand to examine a complaint against them for holding office-of-profit.

The 20 disqualified AAP MLAs on Monday withdrew their application from the Delhi High Court challenging the Election Commission’s recommendation in the office-of-profit case, saying they would file a fresh plea after examining the notification for their disqualification.

When the court’s attention was drawn to the petition, the judge said, “In my opinion, the petition (main petition) also becomes infructuous.”

However, advocate Manish Vashisht, appearing for one of the AAP MLAs, said the main petition be kept pending as he wanted to examine the notification.

Taking note of the submission, the court fixed March 20 for hearing the main petition and said that in view of the change in circumstances, there was no need for the EC to file its response as directed earlier.

Taking the submissions on record, the court continued with its January 19 interim order.

In its opinion sent to the President, the EC had said that by being parliamentary secretaries, they held office-of-profit and were liable to be disqualified as MLAs of the Delhi Assembly.