Congress MP Rashid Masood disqualified from Rajya Sabha, becomes first MP to lose seat

Convicted Congress leader Rashid Masood today became the first MP to lose his seat after the Supreme Court struck down a provision that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts.

66-year-old Masood was held guilty in a case of corruption and other offences in September. His conviction was the first after the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the electoral law that provided immunity to MPs and MLAs from immediate disqualification.

Sources said the notification formally announcing a vacancy in the Rajya Sabha following Masood's disqualification was issued by Rajya Sabha Secretary General Shumsher K Sheriff.

A copy of the notification has been sent to the Election Commission for necessary action, the sources said.

Lok Sabha MPs Lalu Prasad and Jagdish Sharma, both convicted in the fodder scam, are set to be formally disqualified as the Lok Sabha secretariat is likely to follow suit.

In September, a special CBI court had held Rajya Sabha member Masood guilty in a case of corruption and other offences.