BJP MLA had committed 'unruly' act in the past too: AAP to HC

Delhi government today alleged in the High Court that BJP MLA O P Sharma, who was suspended from the Assembly for two sessions for allegedly making derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Alka Lamba, has been engaged in "immoral, violent and appalling behaviour" in the past too.

The Delhi government made the allegation before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva while opposing the maintainability of Sharma's plea challenging his suspension.

"This is not the first instance of unruly and unethical conduct on the part of the petitioner (Sharma). He has been repeatedly engaged in immoral, violent and appalling behaviour in the past. In one such instance, he was penalised by the House on the basis of recommendations of the Ethics Committee for causing damage to the microphones in the House.
 

"An amount of Rs 18,560 was recovered from him towards the cost of the microphone on a motion moved in the Assembly under Rule 107 and adopted on December 3, 2015. He was also warned against resorting to such misconduct in future," the Delhi government said in its reply filed through advocate Peeyoosh Kalra.

The AAP government's response came in the backdrop of a court notice issued to it in June this year after the parties failed to settle the matter amicably.

Denying the charge, Sharma's counsel said the decision of the Delhi assembly to suspend him was "patently illegal" as it infringed upon his freedom of speech privilege.

His counsel also said the Delhi government has no right to represent Delhi Legislative Assembly. The counsel contended that the assembly cannot be "immune" from being made a party.

The Delhi government counsel on the other hand said the Delhi Assembly should not have been made a party in the matter and it should have been the Delhi government instead.

Observing that the assembly was not issued notice as per the last order, the court issued notice to it and listed the matter for hearing on August 22.

The direction came while hearing of the petition filed by Sharma, who was present in the courtroom today, against his suspension from the House on March 31 for the next two sessions.

The court did not pass any interim order on Sharma's submission that his plea be decided as the House will assemble again for six days from August 22.