Office Of Profit Controversy: Delhi HC Asks EC To Wait Before Scheduling Bypolls

The Delhi High Court yesterday (24 January) asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to maintain status quo till Monday (29 January) in the case of the 20 legislators from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who were disqualified from the Delhi assembly, reports Mint. The ECI cannot call for bypolls for the vacant seats till the hearing is completed by the judiciary.

“Do not take steps that will disturb the proceedings (before the high court),” said Justic Vibhu Bakru while directing that the matter be listed for hearing on Monday. The court has said that it will hear the matter on a day-to-day basis from 29 January as the case requires consideration.

The court was hearing the disqualification of 20 AAP members of the Delhi legislative assembly for holding offices of profit. K V Viswanathan, appearing for the disqualified MLAs described it as a serious violation of “natural justice”. He raised objections to the fact that Om Prakash Rawat, then election commissioner chose to be part of the proceedings after recusing himself.

President Ram Nath Kovind had given his ascent to go forward with the disqualification proceedings on 20 January. AAP had appointed 20 legislators as parliamentary secretaries in March 2015.The ECI received two complaints on the matter in November and December 2015.