Rajasthan High Court Hearing, AGR Supreme Court Hearing: Dr Singhvi, Please Mute Mic

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Abhishek Manu Singhvi, of Congress, pleaded before the High Court and the Supreme Court (File)

New Delhi:

The Rajasthan High Court hearing – in which Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel congressional MPs contested their disqualification from the National Assembly – reached the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, but not in the manner in which one might expect.

Congress Chief Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represents President CP Joshi in this case and telecommunications major Bharti Airtel at the Supreme Court in the center’s AGR (Adjusted Gross Income) claims case, left his microphone open and fragments of the high court hearing echoed in the superior court.

Lead counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who represents Vodafone, another telecommunications major in the case, quickly notified his colleague.

“Dr. Singhvi, the Rajasthan High Court hearing can be heard. Please turn off the microphone,” said Mr. Rohatgi.

The two hearings, like all court cases in the country’s courts, are heard virtually due to the blocking of the coronavirus which has restricted the movement of people. As a result, all offices, including non-essential government services, were encouraged to work from home (or from a distance) wherever possible.

Today before the High Court, Singhvi argued that Mr. Pilot and the rebel deputies could not yet go to court for their disqualification before the President ruled on the matter. Singhvi also disputed the rebels’ argument that skipping two party meetings did not mean leaving Congress.

The 19-member team pilot argued that the President of Rajasthan could not serve any notice of disqualification since the Assembly was not in session. They also challenged a constitutional rule disqualifying MPs if they “voluntarily” renounce the party.

Sachin Pilot and the other rebels received notices for “anti-party activities” after skipping two meetings of congressional deputies convened by chief minister Ashok Gehlot last week.

Congress told the court that no action would be taken against the rebels until Tuesday, when they should respond to the notifications.

If Mr. Pilot and loyal MPs are disqualified, it will lower the majority in the Rajasthan Assembly – a decision that will benefit Congress and Chief Minister Gehlot, as it will facilitate proof of their majority if a test on the ground was called.

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