PANAJI
The petition filed by the Congress challenging the order of the Speaker Rajesh Patnekar in dismissing the disqualification petitions filed by the Congress party, will have to be placed before a different division bench after Justice Mahesh Sonak recused himself from hearing the petition.
The matter came before the court on Monday with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibil representing the Congress party while Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta appeared for the Speaker.
However, with Justice Sonak recusing himself from the case, the party will now have to apply for the case to be heard by another bench.
“Justice (Mahesh) Sonak recused from the matter stating that he had appeared for some of the respondents earlier. The matter now will have to be listed before a special division bench, for which an appropriate request will have to be made,” Chodankar said in a statement to the media.
The Congress had challenged Patnekar’s order that was pronounced on April 20 and has sought an early hearing pointing out that the term of the Goa Legislative Assembly is nearing end and sought that the matter be disposed of preferably before the term ends.
