Disqualification case of Th Shyamkumar : Speaker's Tribunal reserves judgement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2020: The final hearing of the disqualification case of Th Shyamkumar who has been serving as a Cabinet Minister in the BJP-led coalition Government even though he was elected on Congress ticket was held today at the Speaker's Tribunal but the tribunal has reserved its judgement.

After as many as 15 petitions were filed by Congress MLAs at the Speaker's Tribunal seeking disqualification of Th Shyamkumar under the anti-defection law, a case was pending at the tribunal for a protracted period.

The same matter was even taken to the High Court of Manipur.

Disqualification case of Th Shyamkumar : Speaker's Tribunal reserves judgement

In the meantime, the Supreme Court on January 21 asked the Speaker's Tribunal to take a concrete decision on the disqualification case of Th Shyamkumar within four weeks.

A copy of the Supreme Court's directive was submitted to the Speaker's Tribunal on January 25 by Supreme Court Senior Advocate SG Hasnain who is also a counsel of Congress MLAs and petitioners K Meghachandra and Md Fazur Rahim.

Subsequently, the tribunal fixed February 4 for final hearing of the case.

During the final hearing which started at 11 am and continued for almost one hour, Advocates SG Hasnain, N Ibotombi, Syed Md Fazal and Boboi appeared on behalf of the petitioners namely; K Meghachandra and Md Fazur Rahim.

Advocates HS Paonam and S Gunabanta represented the respondent.

After listening to both the parties, the Speaker reserved his judgement.

He also informed both the parties that they may submit additional documents and written arguments by February 11.The respondent's party appealed to the tribunal to take up the matter after February 11 but the tribunal rejected the appeal citing the Assembly's budget session which would commence from February 14 .

Speaking to media persons outside the Assembly complex after the final hearing was over, Senior Advocate SG Hasnain said that judgement for the final hearing has been reserved by the Speaker's Tribunal.

The Speaker also made it clear that any party who wishes to submit additional documents may do so by February 22.The judgement now kept reserved would be announced after February 12, said the Senior Advocate.

Notably, Th Shyamkumar who was elected on Congress ticket to the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly from Andro AC extended support to the coalition Government led by N Biren even before he was sworn in as an MLA.

He is currently serving as MAHUD and Forest & Environment Minister.

Th Shyamkumar defeated his nearest rival BJP's Dr Nimaichand Luwang by a margin of 7,986 votes in the last State Assembly election.

Th Shyamkumar secured 18,761 votes while Dr Nimaichand could garner only 10,775 votes.

On the other hand, the Speaker's Tribunal has already fixed February 11 for final hearing of another disqualification case filed against seven other Congress MLAs who too have been supporting the BJP-led coalition Government.

The seven MLAs in question are O Lukhoi, S Bira, Ngamthang Haokip, Ksh Biren, P Brojen, Y Surchandra and Ginsuanhau.