Karnataka HC issues notice to Speaker on independent MLAs’ disqualification

BANGALORE - Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Speaker K.G. Bopaiah and other respondents on petitions filed by five independent MLAs challenging their disqualification from the Assembly and posted the matter for further hearing on November 8.

The notices were issued by a full bench comprising Justices Mohan Shantanagoudar, S. Abdul Nazeer and A.S. Bopanna, before which the case was referred by a division bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, last month.

The rebel, along with eleven BJP MLAs, had been disqualified from the membership of the House by 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.

Former Ministers Venkataramanappa, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Goolihatti Sekhar and M P Narendraswamy and independent MLAs were also disqualified. (ANI)