Defector MLAs: Haryana Speaker files plea in HC

Taking the application on record,a Division Bench headed by Justice M M Kumar on Tuesday questioned the basis of the appeal filed by the former speaker. The bench observed that the single bench had only set a deadline for disposal of the petitions and no direction was given on merits.

On March 1,a division bench had stayed the order of the single bench. However,it had recorded the statement of the deputy speaker of the Vidhan Sabha,asking him to ensure that the proceedings pending before the Speaker are completed expeditiously.

Haryana Advocate General Hawa Singh Hooda sought adjournment in the case on the ground that Solicitor General of India,Gopal Subramaniam — who had appeared on behalf of the Speaker — was not available to address the arguments.

Opposing the adjournment,senior advocate Satya Pal Jain — counsel for Kuldeep Bishnoi — demanded that adjournment should not be granted. Jain averred that it was most unfortunate that Harmohinder Singh Chatha and most of the defector MLAs have been made ministers by the ruling government to prolong the matter of disqualification. “It is unfortunate that the Speaker,who is a Tribunal under the Constitution of India,is violating the mandate of the Constitution,the Supreme Court and the High Court,” said Jain.

Adjourning the case to April 29,the bench reiterated the previous order asking the Speaker to decide the disqualification petitions pending before him as expeditiously as possible.

The five MLAs — Sat Pal Sangwan,Vinod Bhayana,Narender Singh,Zile Singh and Dharam Singh — were elected to Haryana Vidhan Sabha on tickets of Haryana Janhit Congress. On November 9,2009,they left Haryana Janhit Congress and joined the Congress.