Bombay HC dismisses writ petitions challenging appointment of three ministers

The Bombay High Court Division bench of Justice SC Dharmadhikari and Justice GS Patel dismissed writ petitions challenging the appointment of three ministers in the state cabinet less than 6 months before assembly elections. All three joined the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the state after resigning from their respective parties.

Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Bombay High Court has dismissed a couple of writ petitions challenging the appointment of three ministers in the state cabinet less than 6 months before assembly elections.

The Division bench of Justice SC Dharmadhikari and Justice GS Patel heard the petitions filed by Vijay Wadettivar and Surinder Arora challenging the induction of Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Jaydatta Kshirsagar and Avinash Mahatekar as Cabinet Ministers and Minister of State, respectively in the Maharashtra State Cabinet of Ministers.

All three joined the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the State after resigning from their respective parties.

The Court observed that in the absence of an adjudication by the Speaker on their alleged defection and disqualification, it was not possible for it to rule on it.

The Court also observed that if politicians are switching loyalties during elections purely for political gains then voters must teach such 'defectors' a lesson.