SC stays Kerala HC order quashing election of Devikulam MLA A Raja

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Kerala High Court's verdict invalidating Devikulam MLA A Raja's election to the state Assembly, under certain conditions.

Last month, the high court declared the election of CPM MLA A Raja from the Devikulam constituency in the 2021 assembly polls void by stating that he does not belong to a scheduled caste while the constituency is reserved. The court viewed that the CPM leader could not contest the seat since he had converted from an SC community to Christianity, accepting the arguments of the petitioner, the UDF candidate in the election.

The apex court stay is valid till July. Meanwhile, Raja can attend the Assembly sessions. However, he will not have the right to cast votes in the House. Further, until the court takes a decision on the petition, Raja is not entitled to receive salary or other benefits enjoyed as an elected member of the state assembly.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to petitioner D Kumar, who moved against Raja in the High Court. The court will next hear the final arguments in the case on July 12. 

Kumar's lawyers requested the Supreme Court not to issue a stay order since Raja is facing several charges, including forgery.