Hyderabad: TS advocate-general K. Ramakrishna Reddy on Thursday contended before the Hyderabad High Court that power to recognise a separate group or allotment or arrangement of seats in the House on basis of Business Rules rests with the Speaker and is the exclusive privilege or business of the Speaker. He said that this power cannot be considered as an order or decision under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
The A-G was arguing on behalf of the Secretary of TS Legislative Assembly in an appeal challenging an ruling of a single judge ordering the Speaker on September 21, 2016 to take a decision within three months and pass appropriate orders on petitions pending before him seeking disqualification of 12 TD MLAs who joined the TRS.
The single judge granted the interim order on a petition by TS TD MLA A. Revanth Reddy questioning the Bulletin issued on March 10, 2016 by the TS Legislature Secretariat merging the Telugu Desam Legislature Party with the TRS Legislature Party.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice U. Durga Prasad Rao was hearing the appeal. The A-G said that in the Bulletin, there was no decision or order of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule in respect of merger or disqualification, except allocation of seats to the MLAs who joined the TRS, as per the Business Rules as required under Rule 4.
Referring to Ramdas Athawale versus Union of India case, the A-G said that in this case the Apex Court has held that the Legislature is not subject to control of courts in the administration of internal proceedings.The bench adjourned the case to Monday.
TSPSC told to give selection details
The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the TSPSC to submit the results of selections for the post of agriculture officers and agriculture extension officers in a sealed cover by Wednesday next.
A division bench of the Hyderabad High Court comprising Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Justice Shyam Prasad was dealing with petitions by some contract employees who are seeking weightage in the selection process.
The bench said that it will examine whether the petitioners come within the range of consideration and sought the results.
HC stays arrest of Musaddilal jewellers stayed
The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday stayed the arrest of the directors of Musaddilal Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. in a case registered by the CCS police for allegedly generating advance cash receipts in the night of November 8, soon after the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes.
Justice Raja Elango, while hearing the petition moved by the firm and its three directors seeking to quash the criminal proceedings initiated against them, stayed the arrest of the petitioners.
Chandrasen Reddy, counsel appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the entire money which the police alleged was generated through advance cash receipts, was deposited in banks and the petitioners have not violated any law while doing business.
H. Venugopal, counsel for the Home department, while opposing the plea of the petitioners, submitted that they generated as many as 5,200 advance cash receipts. He said investigation must be made to identify the purchasers and to establish whether the money spent to buy the jewellery was accounted or unaccounted money. He also submitted that on that night, CCTV cameras in the showroom were also not operational, and this must also must be probed.
The judge said that investigation may go on and the petitioners have to cooperate with investigation officer by appearing before him every day. While ordering the police to file status report by Wednesday, the judge adjourned the hearing.
