PIL seeking sacking of Ministers Nawab Malik, Satyendra Jain to be listed after being placed before CJI: SC

Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik and Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain were arrested in connection with separate criminal cases and are currently in judicial custody

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that a plea seeking a direction to the governments of Maharashtra and Delhi to sack Ministers Nawab Malik and Satyendar Jain, who were arrested in connection with separate criminal cases and are in judicial custody, would be listed for hearing after it is placed before the Chief Justice of India.

The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a vacation bench of Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the petitioner in the matter, has also sought a direction to declare that a minister, who is not only a public servant but also a lawmaker, shall be temporarily barred from holding office after two days of judicial custody like public servants including IAS officers.

Mr. Upadhyay mentioned the plea for urgent listing claiming that there is “serious violation” of Article 14 (equality before law) of the Constitution.

“Did you make a mention before the registrar?” the bench said, adding, “Everyday we are saying please make a mention before the registrar and even then if it is not posted, mention before us.”

Mr. Upadhyay told the bench that one Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra (Nawab Malik) is in judicial custody while the other one is a Cabinet Minister of Delhi (Satyendra Jain) who is also in judicial custody.

“You have filed it. Make a mention. Most probably it will be posted next week,” the bench said, adding, “….such matters will be posted before the Chief Justice first, then only it will be posted.”