SC to hear plea of disqualified Karnataka MLAs on Nov 13

BENGALURU: The Supreme Court has posted for Wednesday hearing on a plea by 17 disqualified Karnataka MLAs, praying for the postponement of the December 5 by-election in the state till the case related to their disqualification is decided.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi made an oral mention of their prayer before a three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana, and sought urgent listing of their interlocutory application for directions to respondents. The court ordered listing of the case for Wednesday and asked the petitioners to serve copies of their application to respondents such as the Karnataka speaker and the Election Commission.

After hopes of getting an immediate relief from the apex court diminished for the disqualified MLAs, they were huddled in a meeting in Bengaluru on Friday evening to decide their future course of action.

They were worried about the uncertainties that stare at them, as the Election Commission is set to notify on Monday the calendar of events for the bypolls. There is no stay by the court to the commission to go ahead with the election schedule.