HC notices to Committee, MLA

Jabalpur, MP, Sept 6: The Madhya Pradesh High Court today directed issuance of a notice to the Chairman of a state-level Scrutiny Committee inquiring into a complaint regarding the caste certificate of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Legislator M Kashyap who is representing Katni District's Badwara (Scheduled Tribes) since 2008. Justice S Abhyankar ruled on a petition submitted by R Kol as the Committee did not dispose of the plaint within the stipulated time period of three months. The Bench also ordered that a notice be served to Mr Kashyap. Replies are to be submitted within four weeks. Earlier, the High Court declared the politician's election as null and void but he submitted a special leave petition in the Supreme Court, which stayed the lower court's verdict. However, with expiration of the MLA's previous tenure in 2013, the apex court dismissed his plea. UNI