Alahabad High court restores disqualified MLA’s membership

In a landmark judgement, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Thursday restored the membership of BSP MLA Uma Shankar Singh who had been disqualified by the Governor only recently.

UP Governor Ram Naik had dismissed him from the UP Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) after the Lok Ayukta found him guilty of making millions from government contracts. The Governor had also relied on the supporting advice from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The High Court clearly said that Singh continues to be an MLA, and that all parties concerned should represent before the ECI all over again. Apparently, the court has taken exception to the fact that Singh was not allowed to plead his case before the ECI. The judgement is likely to have long-term repercussions. As an immediate effect, BJP MLA Bajrang Bahadur, dismissed from the Vidhan Sabha on similar charges, could also get relief citing the latest judgement.

Uma Shankar Singh, MLA from Rasda in Ballia district of east UP, was heading a web of companies involved in executing government contracts.

Recently, the supreme court had stayed the by-election in Rasda on a special leave petition (SLP) he had filed, arguing that his petition against disqualification was pending before the high court.