U’khand HC defers hearing on plea of rebel Congress MLAs to April 18

The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday deferred to April 18 the hearing on a batch of petitions relating to the ongoing political crisis in the state after nine disqualified rebel Congress MLAs sought adjournment on the ground that their counsel was not available.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist made strong comments on the plea of the rebel MLAs telling them that “it was made clear yesterday that the hearing will take place”.

It then posted the matter further hearing on April 18 when Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi will open the argument on behalf of the Central government.

The court is hearing a batch of petitions filed by the Central government, former CMHarish Rawat and former state minister Indira Hridayesh on issues like imposition of President's rule, promulgation of finance ordinance by the Centre, disqualification of the rebel congress MLAs and subsequent decision of a single-judge bench allowing voting rights to rebel lawmakers.