Kataka: The Odisha High Court on Tuesday fixed October 29 for the next hearing of petitions filed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) challenging the dismissal of disqualification pleas against eight party MLAs accused of defying the party whip and cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.
The petitions came up before a new Division Bench comprising Justice Mruganka Sekhar Sahu following an earlier direction by Justice R.K. Pattanaik that the matters be heard by another Bench.
During the hearing, the petitioners contended that the Assembly Speaker had dismissed the BJD’s disqualification petitions on technical grounds without examining the merits of the allegations or providing an opportunity for a proper hearing. They argued that the procedural defects were rectifiable and that the petitions should not have been rejected without allowing necessary amendments.
The High Court has sought replies from the opposite parties on the petitioners’ plea for remitting the matter to the Assembly Speaker for fresh consideration and a decision in accordance with law. The issue will be taken up on the next date of hearing.
The BJD had approached the High Court challenging the Speaker’s orders dismissing separate petitions seeking disqualification of eight MLAs over alleged violation of the party whip and anti-party activities.
The MLAs named in the proceedings are suspended BJD legislators Arvind Mahapatra and Sanatan Mahakud, along with Navakishore Mallick, Debiranjan Tripathy, Souvik Biswal, Ramakanta Bhoi, Subasini Jena and Chakramani Kanhar.
BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallick has filed eight separate petitions challenging the Speaker’s decisions. The applications seek quashing of the Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretariat’s notification dated June 19, 2026, relating to the dismissal of the disqualification pleas, and a direction for a proper hearing by the Speaker.
Senior advocate Milan Kanungo and advocate Ashish Kumar Mishra are appearing for the petitioners, while Additional Government Advocate Sarveshwar Behera is representing the state government.
