Tamil Nadu government seeks review of order quashing suspension of MLAs

New Delhi: The state on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to review its Febraury 12 order quashing the suspension of six MLAs belonging to actor Vijayakanth’s DMDK party on the ground that they were not given fair opportunity and video clippings to explain to the charges.

Partly allowing the writ petition filed by Alagaapuram R. Mohanraj and five other MLAs challenging their suspension, the court had said the consequence of setting aside the impugned resolution of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly dated March 31, 2015 is that the salary and other benefits incidental to the membership of the Assembly stand restored to the six petitioners.

Pursuant to the incident on February 19, 2015, they were suspended for the reminder of the current session and 10 days of the next session of the House.

Further, it was resolved that the petitioners should not be paid their salaries or given other benefits which are due to them as members of the Legislative Assembly for the period of suspension.

The petition said “it is settled law that unless the action of the legislative Assembly results into an unconstitutional action, the judicial review of such action is not permissible. Exclusive reliance was not placed on the video footage alone, as to cause prejudice to the interests of the petitioners.

The members of all parties in the privileges committee were unanimous in condemning the violent act of the DMDK members but differed only on the quantum of punitive action to be recommended by the committee. After hearing the views of all party members”. It wanted oral hearing and review of the judgment.