Disqualify convicted BJP MLA Meena, Jully reminds Speaker in letter

Jaipur: With Speaker Vasudev Devnani yet to initiate proceedings to disqualify BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena as a member of assembly a day after Supreme Court of India dismissed his SLP seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal case, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully Thursday sent a reminder to Devnani, urging him to revoke Meena's membership of the House forthwith.In a statement released Thursday, Devnani said opinions are being sought from the Advocate General and senior advocates in the case of Meena. "A decision will be made promptly within the stipulated time frame," he added.The apex court directed the MLA from Baran district's Anta constituency to surrender before the trial court within two weeks. Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, mandates that an elected person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for two or more years shall stand disqualified from the constitutional body from the date of conviction.Earlier, Rajasthan High Court upheld Meena's conviction in the 20-year-old criminal case pertaining to his issuance of threats and pointing a gun at a senior govt official in 2005. Meena was awarded the sentence in Dec 2020 by the additional district and sessions court at Aklera in Jhalawar district for threatening to kill Ram Niwas Mehta, then the SDO of Aklera and currently secretary of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).In his letter to Devnani, Jully said, "According to the order of Supreme Court of India in the Lily Thomas vs Govt of India case, his (Meena's) membership should have been annulled from May 1, 2025. However, it is regrettable that no action has been taken even after a week has passed." He also reminded the Speaker that July's SLP was dismissed by the SC and that the top court instructed him to surrender and serve the sentence."With the dismissal of the appeal by Supreme Court of India, no legal recourse remains, and thus his sentence is confirmed. Therefore, we once again urge you to immediately annul Meena's membership of the House, maintaining the traditions of Rajasthan assembly and upholding the dignity of this House while fulfilling your impartial role as Speaker," wrote Jully. "I hope you will promptly cancel the membership of the said MLA and set an example of integrity for all members of the House," he added.BAP MLA's case referred to ethics panel of HouseJaipur: Speaker Vasudev Devnani Thursday referred the case of Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) MLA Jaikrishn Patel to Ethics Committee of Rajasthan Assembly for investigation. Patel was caught by ACB in the parking lot of the MLAs' quarters near the state assembly building while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh.The FIR of this case was received by the assembly, Devnani said. "The case was sent to the assembly's Ethics Committee for investigation into various aspects of Patel's alleged conduct," he added. The committee will review the case and submit a report to the Speaker. The committee's report will be tabled in the House.Devnani said the DG of ACB informed assembly that it was confirmed Patel demanded a bribe in exchange for withdrawing a question posed in the House. "Given the seriousness of the matter, the case was referred to Ethics Committee of assembly for investigation under Rule 253 of the Rajasthan Assembly Procedure Rules. The matter brought the dignity of assembly into question," added Devnani.

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