HC cautions TS government on expelled MLAs

IN

The High Court on Tuesday made it clear that if the TS government failed to file the counter-affidavit in the case of expelled Congress MLAs by April 6 it will proceed further in the case without the counter-affidavit.

Justice B. Siva Sankar Rao was hearing the petition of expelled MLAs of Congress Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and A. Sampath Kumar questioning the action of the Telangana Speaker in expelling them from the Assembly.

J. Ramachandra Rao, Additional Advocate-General appearing in the case sought to adjourn the case stating that the House was adjourned without taking any decision with regard to submission of the video footage of the Governor’s address to the court.

He made it clear that without resolution of the House it would not be possible for them to furnish the video footage to the court.

At this juncture the judge questioned the AAG whether he was appearing for the Assembly or the state government. When AAG said he was appearing for the government, the judge asked why was he making a submission on behalf of secretary of the Assembly.

When the judge asked for the counter-affidavit, the AAG said that the counter was prepared but they required some more time for the signatures of authorities concerned to file it before the court.

The judge said that he would grant time till April 6 for the counter and if they failed to file it the hearing will continue without the counter.

The judge asked the counsel for the petitioner to file the reply before April 9 if the state government served the copy of the counter on April 6.

When the judge spoke about the Advocate General’s assurance to the court about the submission of video footage, the AAG replied that it was on his instruction only that the AG assured the court.

The judge said if the video footage was not furnished before the court, it would be compelled to draw an adverse inference in the case and would then pass orders.