SC sets aside HC order staying conviction of Lakshadweep MP Faizal in attempt to murder case
New Delhi(PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Kerala High Court order suspending conviction and sentence of Lakshadweep Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Faizal in an attempt to murder case and remanded the matter back to the high court for fresh adjudication in six weeks.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, however, protected the MP from any possibility of disqualification, saying the protection of the earlier order will remain in force for six weeks.
The high court will have to decide the appeal of the Lakshadweep administration afresh during that period.
The top court said the approach of the high court was "erroneous" in suspending the conviction and sentence of the Lok Sabha MP in the case.
On January 11, 2023, Faizal and three others were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each by a sessions court in Kavaratti in Lakshadweep for attempting to kill Mohammed Salih, son-in-law of the late union minister P M Sayeed, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
Faizal had moved the Kerala High Court against the order and the HC suspended his conviction and sentence on January 25.
In its order, the high court said it was suspending the conviction and sentence of the NCP leader pending disposal of his appeal against the trial court order. It said not doing so will result in fresh elections for the seat vacated by him which will impose a financial burden on the government and the public.
The Lakshadweep administration moved the Supreme Court against the high court's order, and on January 30, the top court agreed to hear its petition.
On March 29, the top court had disposed of Faizal's separate plea against his disqualification as a Member of Parliament in view of the Lok Sabha secretariat's notification restoring his membership following the high court order.
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UDF to make comeback in Kerala after 10 years, edges out LDF: Exit Polls
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is projected to return to power in Kerala after 10 years, ahead of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to different exit polls released on Wednesday evening.
Most surveys indicate a lead for the UDF over the LDF, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to have limited presence in the Assembly with only a few seats projected.
According to Matrize, the UDF is likely to win between 70 and 75 seats, while the LDF is projected to secure 60 to 65 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 3 and 5 seats, as per the same survey.
People’s Pulse has projected a higher range for the UDF, estimating 75 to 85 seats, while the LDF is expected to get between 55 and 65 seats. The NDA is projected to win between 0 and 3 seats in this survey.
Axis My India has also forecast a clear lead for the UDF, projecting 78 to 90 seats for the alliance. The LDF is expected to win between 49 and 62 seats, while the NDA is again projected to remain within the 0 to 3 seat range.
Another projection by Vote Vibe estimates the UDF to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF could secure 58 to 68 seats. Others are expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
P-MARQ, in its survey for the 140-member Assembly, has predicted 72 to 79 seats for the UDF and 62 to 69 seats for the LDF, with around 3 seats going to others.
According to CNN-18, the UDF is projected to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF may secure 58 to 68 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
NDTV has predicted 75 to 85 seats for the UDF and 55 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to secure between 0 and 3 seats.
Meanwhile, today’s Chanakya has projected 72 to 80 seats for the UDF and 60 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to get between 3 and 7 seats.
Kerala went to polls on April 9, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
