Disqualified 18 MLAs case adjourned to August 3

The Madras High Court adjourned the case of 18 disqualified All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLAs to August 3. The 18 were disqualified as MLAs by Tamil Nadu Speaker P Dhanapal under the anti-defection law.

The disqualified 18 MLAs matter was further referred to a third judge after the Madras High Court had passed a split verdict on June 14.

THE SPLIT VERDICT

Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Indira Banerjee, upheld the Tamil Nadu Speaker's (P Dhanapal) decision (of disqualifying the MLAs), whereas, Justice M Sundar set aside the disqualification order passed by



Dhanapal.

THIRD JUDGE

On June 27, Justice M Sathyanarayanan of Madras HC, the third judge in this case was appointed by Supreme Court. Justice Satyanarayanan has reassured arguments in the case will be debated for an entire day on August 3.

The hearing into the case began on July 23 and was scheduled to go on till July 27.

HE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker overstepped his jurisdiction and disqualified the AIADMK MLAs when a dispute over the party's name and symbol by rival claimants was pending before the Election Commission.