Karnataka crisis: High Court to hear independent MLAs’ case

BANGALORE - A full-bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the disqualification case of five independent MLAs today.

The new Bench comprising Justice Mohan Shanthanagouder, Justice Abdul Nazir and Justice A S Bopanna will take up the case.

The rebel, along with eleven BJP MLAs, had been disqualified from the membership of the House by the Speaker of the Assembly, KG Bopaiah, after they had written a letter on October 5 to Governor HR Bharadwaj, withdrawing support from the Yeddyurappa government.

Last week, the disqualification of BJP MLAs was upheld by the Karnataka High Court. However, they are likely to move the Supreme Court against the verdict.

The case was posted before Justice Sabhahit after a division bench, comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N Kumar gave a split verdict. While Khehar upheld the Speaker’s ruling, Kumar set aside the disqualification order.

The BJP government had won the vote of confidence with 106 members supporting it and the opposition logging 100 votes in a House with an effective strength of 208.

Those BJP MLAs, who were disqualified are: Balachandra Jarkiholi, Belur Gopala Krishna, Anand Asnotikar, Dr Sarvabowma Bagali, V Nagaraju, Raje Kage, Y Sampangi, Nanjundaswamy, S K Bellubbi, H S Shankara Lingegowda and Shivanagouda Naik.ormer Ministers Venkataramanappa, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Goolihatti Sekhar and M P Narendraswamy and independent MLAs were also disqualified. (ANI)