BJP MLA Vijender Gupta Moves HC Against Suspension From Delhi Assembly

BJP MLA Vijender Gupta has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court against the decision of the Delhi legislative assembly speaker suspending him from the assembly for a year.

Appearing for Gupta, Senior advocate Jayant Mehta presented the petition for urgent listing before a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Datta on Thursday.

The bench granted the appeal and scheduled the case for hearing tomorrow.

According to media sources, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has prevented Gupta from participating in the house proceedings till the next budget session.

Gupta’s suspension was recommended by AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha, who claimed that he routinely interrupted House procedures.

Gupta had submitted a letter to the speaker earlier in the day, suggesting a breach of privilege motion against Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot and Environment Minister Gopal Rai, alleging that they leaked budget information on social media before the budget was presented in the house.

Gupta argues in his petition that the speaker’s decision is unjust, unfair, and irrational, and that it was made in contravention of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The plea stated that, “The impugned action of the Hon’ble Speaker in permitting a ruling party MLA to move and proceed with the motion to seek suspension of the Petitioner from the House for a period of one year does not come within the definition of’irregular proceedings’ but is a classic case of being categorized as “gross illegal” and “unconstitutional” but also contravention/violation of the Petitioner’s fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution of India.”

Gupta further stated that the behaviour of the AAP members was much unruly and disorderly.