Bhajan moves HC over disqualification issue

Chandigarh, Mar 4 (UNI) Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and two other Haryana MLA--Dharam Pal Singh Malik and Rakesh Kamboj--have sought directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to quash the ongoing procedings against them in the Vidhan Sabha under the anti-defectiopn law.

They also sought directions, through a writ petition, to quash that part of the tenth schedule of the constitution vide which powers to decide matters of disqualification of members had been given to the Speaker.

They argued Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Raghubir Singh Kadian was member of a political party and as such could decide the matter in favour of the party he owes allegiance to.

However, the division bench of Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia adjourned the hearing to March 18 and directed pettioners to place on record a copy of the show causes notics issued to them by the Speaker.

Earlier, Mr Bhajan Lal and the two other MLAs did not appear in the hearing before the Speaker regarding their disqualification. They were represented by their lawyers. The hearing was inconclusive and would resume tomorrow.

UNI MA VN2109