Goemkarponn desk
New Delhi: Accepting Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly submission that the disqualification petition against 10 MLAs who jumped ship to join BJP in July 2019 would be taken up on February 26, 2021, the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing in the disqualification case to first week of March 2021.
The matter of the disqualification petition filed by the GPCC President Girish Chodankar finally came up before the Supreme Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice, on Wednesday.
The Solicitor General representing/ appearing for the Speaker informed the Court that the Speaker has fixed the hearing regarding the disqualification petition on February 26 and the matter before the Supreme Court can be adjourned.
The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner Girish Chodankar said that the date fixed by the Speaker was a red hearing and the respondents are merely delaying the proceedings of disqualification petition and that Speaker be directed to decide the matter on February 26 itself.
At this juncture the Counsel for other respondents argued that the issue regarding the powers of the Court to direct the Speaker is pending reference and therefore the sSpeaker must not be directed and that matter could be merely adjourned beyond February 26 and the hearing will take place on that date before the Speaker.
The Counsel for the Petitioner pointed out that the issue has been finally decided by the Supreme Court is decided in the judgment of Keisham Meghachandra v’s Speaker and consequently, the Speaker must decide the disqualification petition on February 26.
The Court after considering the arguments passed the order recording that the disqualification petition is listed for disposal on February 26 and listed the matter in the first week of March 2021.
