SC upholds 2004 disqualification

More than two years after six Haryana legislators were disqualified for changing their political parties on the eve of Rajya Sabha elections, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld Speaker Satbir Singh Kadiyan8217;s decision of June 2004. The apex court in its interim order had given temporary relief to them 8212; four Independents and one each from RPI and NCP 8212; ordering that they could function as MLAs, draw their salaries and allowances without exercising power of voting for the Rajya Sabha elections till the case was disposed of. As a consequence of the latest order, the MLAs from the dissolved Haryana Legislative Assembly 8212; Karan Singh Dalal, Jagjit Singh, Bhimsain Mehta, Rajender Singh Disla, Devraj Deewan and Jai Prakash Gupta 8212; will lose their privileges as former members of Legislative Assembly.