LS revokes disqualification of Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal

Lakshadweep MP, PP Mohammed Faizal’s membership of the Lok Sabha was restored by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday. His conviction in a criminal case was suspended by the Kerala High Court on January 25 and Faizal’s petition challenging his continued disqualification was to be heard by the Supreme Court shortly.

In his plea in the Supreme Court, Faizal called the Lok Sabha Secretariat’s action as “unlawful” as it failed to withdraw its disqualification notice, more than two months after the Kerala High Court stayed the MP’s conviction, according to a Bar and Bench report.

Also read: SC to hear NCP MP Faizal’s plea against continued disqualification

Case against Faizal

Faizal was disqualified from Lok Sabha on January 13, 2023, after he and three others were sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each by a sessions court in Kavaratti for attempting to murder Mohammed Salih, son-in-law of the late Union Minister P M Sayeed, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Faizal, who represents Lakshadweep, had moved the Kerala High Court against the sessions court order and obtained a suspension of his conviction and sentence. On January 25 Kerala HC suspended the conviction and 10-year sentence given to Faizal.

Secretariat order

“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 on Wednesday said.

(With agency inputs)