HC allows rebel JD-U MLAs to attend Bihar assembly

The Patna High Court on Friday allowed four rebel JD-U legislators, who were disqualified by the Bihar assembly speaker, to attend the monsoon session next month.

The order from a single judge bench came after rebel legislators Raju Kumar Singh, Ajit Kumar, Poonam Devi and Suresh Chanchal asked for the same relief that has been granted by the Supreme Court.

Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary in December terminated their membership under the anti-defection law after the ruling Janata Dal-United sought action against them for allegedly cross-voting in a Rajya Sabha by-poll.

The four legislators, who were expelled from the JD-U, have been supporting former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his newly floated Hindustani Awam Morcha.