Convicted Hry Cong MLA is disqualified

CHANDIGARH: Congress MLA Pradeep Chaudhary from Kalka stands disqualified following his conviction by a Himachal court in a adecade-old case, Haryana assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta said on Saturday.

Chaudhary was sentenced to 3 years in jail by a Nalagarh court in Solan district of Himachal following his conviction earlier on January 14 in a case of assault, rioting and other penal offences, said Gupta, adding the Kalka MLA incurred disqualification from the date of his conviction. 14 others too were convicted and sentenced to 3 years in jail along with the Haryana MLA.

Gupta told reporters the notification by the state assembly secretariat following his disqualification after his conviction entailing a jail term longer than 2 years has also declared the Kalka seat as vacant from January 14. "Today, we issued the notification and Kalka seat has been declared as vacant from January 14," Gupta said.

A sitting MLA stands disqualified automatically under the provisions of section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 following his conviction in any offence entailing a jail term longer than 2 years.