Prez rejects plea for AAP MLA's disqualification

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition seeking disqualification of AAP MLA Surendra Singh as a lawmaker for allegedly holding the office of profit after an opinion of the Election Commission. The petition had alleged that Singh had been earning profit from the Public Works Department of the Delhi government as well as from New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

In an order, the President said the poll panel had opined that Singh was not holding an 'office' under the government within the meaning of section 15(1) (a) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, as he was a member of the NDMC by virtue of the NDMC Act and the government had no role in its appointment or dismissal. The commission had earlier rejected a similar plea against Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Earlier, Singh was sent to judicial custody till August 17 by Delhi's Patiala House court in defacement of public property case. The case relates to defacement of public property in Naraina area in south-west Delhi, allegedly by putting up posters and hoardings in 2014. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ashu Garg ordered his custody when he appeared before the court. Despite the court's directions, he was not appearing before the court for the last few occasions. Currently, Surendra Singh is representing Delhi Cantonment in the Legislative Assembly.