Supreme Court Gives Sachin Pilot Breather, Says Till SC Decides The Issue, HC Cannot Decide Disqualification

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Former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot and his 18 MLA’s have got a breather from the Supreme Court. While hearing the disqualification matter , the Supreme Court has said Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi cannot decide on disqualification of 19 rebel Congress MLAs till the top court makes a decision on the issue.

The apex court also allowed the Rajasthan high court to go ahead and pronounce its ruling on the plea by the dissident MLAs against the disqualification proceedings initiated by the Speaker, but said the verdict will remain subject to the outcome of the hearing in the SC.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, B R Gavai and Krsihna Murari said Joshi’s plea raises important questions and requires prolonged hearing. “We are not restraining the High Court from passing the order but it will be subject to the outcome of the petition (of Speaker) before the Supreme Court,” the bench said, while fixing the plea for hearing on July 27.

“Voice of dissent in democracy cannot be shut down,” the bench observed. “We are trying to find out whether this process (disqualification) was permissible or not,” it said, while questioning Joshi on the reasons for initiating disqualification proceedings against the dissident MLAs.