Lok Sabha Secretariat Revokes Disqualification Of Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal

The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday (29 March) restored the membership of Lakshadweep MP PP Mohammad Faizal, who was disqualified from the lower house in January following his conviction in an attempt to murder case with a 10-year jail term.

According to lawyers associated with the case, the MP and others allegedly attacked Padanath Salih, the son-in-law of former union minister PM Sayeed, when they had reached their neighbourhood for intervening in a political issue during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

Faizal, had moved the Kerala High Court against the sessions court order and obtained a suspension of his conviction and sentence.

'In view of order dated 25.01.2023 of the High Court of Kerala, the disqualification of Shri Mohammed Faizal P. P., notified vide Gazette Notification no. 21/4(1)/2023/TO(B) dated the 13th January, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements,' the Lok Sabha Secretariat notification said.

The restoration of Faizal's membership comes amidst the row over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha due to a 2-year sentence in a defamation case.

Soon after his disqualification, the Election Commission had announced that a bypoll would be held in Lakshadweep on 27 February along with polls in other places but it withdrew the decision after the order of the Kerala High Court.

(With inputs from PTI)