HC issues notices to seven MLAs, Speaker in defection case

The Telangana High Court issued notices to seven defecting MLAs and Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar over dismissal of disqualification pleas filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The case, linked to anti-defection law, is posted for April 16

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued notices to seven MLAs facing defection allegations and to Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar in petitions challenging the Speaker’s recent ruling dismissing disqualification petitions filed against 10 BRS MLAs who switched to the ruling Congress.

The court directed the Speaker, along with MLAs Danam Nagender, Arekapudi Gandhi, Kale Yadaiah, T Prakash Goud, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy and Tellam Venkat Rao to file counter-affidavits. The hearing was adjourned to April 16.

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The BRS approached the High Court seeking the disqualification of the turncoat MLAs under the anti-defection law. The party argued that the Speaker’s decision to dismiss the disqualification petitions, citing lack of evidence, effectively gave them a clean chit despite their defection.