11 March 2024 11:57 AM GMT
The Supreme Court has posted the plea filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra challenging her expulsion from the Lok Sabha over allegations of unethical conduct to week commencing May 6, 2024.
The Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta passed the order today, considering that a counter-affidavit had been filed by respondent No.1 in terms of the previous order. However, petitioner-Moitra was not inclined to file a rejoinder.
During the brief hearing, Moitra's counsel, besides communicating that she did not intend to file a rejoinder, urged that the Court give shortest possible date. He submitted, "only based on that finding, they are now initiating criminal proceedings against me" and as such, there is urgency.
It may be recalled that Moitra, a former Member of Parliament (MP) who represented the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, faced expulsion on December 8 following the adoption of an ethics committee report accusing her of unethical conduct over cash-for-query allegations.
On the last date, the Court observed that one of the issues to be considered will be the jurisdiction to review Lok Sabha's action. It further turned down a prayer made by Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi to allow Moitra to attend Lok Sabha proceedings in the meantime as an interim measure.
For a gist of earlier proceedings, click here.
Case Title: Mahua Moitra v. Lok Sabha Secratariat & Ors. | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1410 of 2023