Vinod Kumar Binny not bound by AAP whip till next hearing: Delhi High Court

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday stayed the implementation of assembly speaker's view that AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny, despite his expulsion from the party, will have to follow the party whip in any transaction of business on the floor of the House.

Justice Manmohan considered a 2010 SC judgment by which expelled Samajwadi Party leaders Amar Singh and Jaya Prada were granted protection against disqualification and treated as independent lawmakers. The speaker's February 3 letter has been stayed till March 4, the next date of hearing. The court said the petitioner's (Binny) rights should not be curtailed.

During the hearing, advocate Zubeda Begum, appearing for the speaker, opposed the plea saying it was premature and there was no imminent danger to Binny because the assembly was in suspension.

Binny, through his counsel Rahul Raj Malik, said, "They compelled me to vote in their favour during those days. When I was expelled, I didn't enjoy the privileges like other party members. But I have to follow their diktat. They issued two whips (Feb 13 and 14) compelling me to come and vote," he said.

In his plea, Binny objected against the two whips. He has termed the speaker's view as "grossly illegal, biased and prejudiced" and accused him of colluding with AAP.