Cant punish Independents for not giving support: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said mere extension of support by Independent MLAs to a ruling party does not indicate that they have joined it and cannot be disqualified under anti-defection law if they withdraw support to the government.

A Bench held that there was no legal bar on Independents extending support to the ruling party and their participation in official rallies,meetings and programmes does not mean that they have joined the party.

The SC passed the detailed judgment as a sequel to its May 13,2011 order wherein it had quashed the Karnataka Assembly Speakers decision to disqualify 16 MLAs ahead of the no-confidence motion last year which had ensured survival of the then B S Yeddyurappa government.