15 June:The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Monday a petition seeking disqualification of 18 Rajasthan MLAs for allegedly making inflammatory statements during the Gujjar agitation last year, breaching their oath as legislators and ministers.
The vacation Bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and G S Singhvi would hear the petition filed by Kashi Purohit against an order of single Judge of Rajasthan High Court, which had earlier dismissed the plea.
The High Court had dismissed the petition saying the Governor was not expected to refer the matter for opinion to the Election Commission where no specific disqualification had been clearly made out as given in Article 191 of the Constitution or the Representation of People’s Act.
Purohit had initially moved the then Governor, who had on 13th July 2007 dismissed the plea which had sought disqualification of as many as 18 MLAs of various parties, including BJP, Congress, BSP and some independents besides three Cabinet and one state minister.
The petition has alleged that "18 MLAs had openly supported the Gujjar-Meena caste war during the Gujjar reservation stir that set Rajasthan ablaze, disrupted trade, and industry and also disrupted communal harmony in the adjoining states."
The Gujjars are right now in the midst of an agitation to secure ST status for themselves. Gujjar leaders are engaged in talks with the Rajasthan government over the issue. Courtsey : DD NEWS