Office of profit case: Matter sub judice in Delhi HC, says AAP MLA

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Rajesh Gupta said on Friday that the office of profit case was sub-judice in the Delhi High Court and there had been no hearing in the matter yet.

In a big setback for the anti-corruption party, AAP, the Election Commission of India (ECI) today recommended the President that 20 of its MLAs be disqualified for allegedly holding 'office of profit'.

Speaking to ANI, the MLA said, "We demanded a copy of the letter, but we have got nothing from the Election Commission (EC). There has been no hearing. The matter is sub-judice in the Delhi high court."

The ECI has sent its recommendation to the President Ram Nath Kovind for his assent and it remains to be seen what action he takes on it. In cases where petitions are made seeking disqualification of lawmakers, the President sends a reference to the ECI which decides on the case and sends back its opinion.

In the current scenario, the petition was directed at 21 MLAs, but one has resigned.

If the president gives his assent, the disqualification of the legislators would pave the way for bye-elections in Delhi.

The MLAs' pleas that the case against them be dropped were rejected by the ECI in June 2017.