Office-of-profit case: Delhi HC restores membership of 20 AAP MLAs
In a big relief for AAP, Delhi HC today restored membership of its 20 disqualified MLAs. It referred the case back to the Election Commission (EC). A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar said the disqualification was "bad in law." The court added that there was a violation of natural justice as the MLAs weren't given an oral hearing before their disqualification.
What is the office of profit case?
The case dates to 2015 when Kejriwal's government appointed 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries. They were to assist cabinet ministers. As they enjoyed the perks similar to that of a minister, an office of profit case was registered with EC. In January'18, EC disqualified 20 MLAs; notably, one had already resigned from the assembly. President Ram Kovind accepted the EC's opinion the next day.
Elated Kejriwal said truth has won
What does this move signify?
In 2015, AAP had stormed to power with a massive majority. After 20 members were disqualified, AAP's number had reduced to 46 in the 70-member assembly. However, with the HC order, the bypolls to the 20 seats will be deferred for now. Along with this, Kejriwal's apology spree will reduce defamation cases against the CM. Does this signify a new chapter in AAP's history?
