Lok Sabha revokes disqualification of NCP member Mohammad Faizal

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Secretariat Wednesday reinstated the parliamentary membership of Mohammed Faizal, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and the lawmaker from Lakshadweep.

The decision came moments before the SC was to hear Faizal's plea seeking reinstatement after suspension from the legislature following his conviction in an attempt-to-murder case.

The notification issued by the Secretariat on Wednesday acknowledged that the conviction and sentence of Faizal in the case were suspended by the Kerala High Court on January 25. The notification stated that as a result, Faizal's suspension from the Lok Sabha under Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act has ceased to operate.


On January 11, a lower court had convicted four persons, including Faizal, for allegedly attempting to murder Padanath Salih, son-in-law of former Union minister and Congress leader PM Sayeed, in relation to a political controversy during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. All four accused were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

After this, Faizal had been disqualified from holding the office of MP and a notification in this regard was also issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

The Kerala High Court on January 25 suspended the conviction and sentence, following which the Lakshadweep administration appealed before the Supreme Court.

On Wayanad bypoll

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said that the EC was in no hurry to hold bypolls in Wayanad - the Kerala LS seat which has fallen vacant with the conviction and consequent disqualification of Congress' Rahul Gandhi.

The CEC said that the law requires a vacant seat to be filled within six months of the vacancy being created and hence there was adequate time for the poll panel to do so. He also added that in the Rahul Gandhi case, the trial court has given a 30 day breather for judicial remedy.