Judgement reserved on Raja's plea against order cancelling election as MLA

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgement on a plea filed by CPI(M) leader A Raja challenging the order of the Kerala High Court which set aside his election from Devikulam Assembly seat in Idukki district.

Congress leader D Kumar, who was the runner-up in the 2021 Assembly polls, has alleged that Raja was not qualified to contest the Devikulam seat reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih heard submissions from senior advocates V Giri and Narender Hooda appearing for Raja and Kumar respectively.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Raja against the March 20, 2023 order of the Kerala High Court.

The high court had passed the order on an election petition filed by Congress leader D Kumar, who was the runner-up in the 2021 Assembly polls, alleging that Raja was not qualified to contest the Devikulam seat reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

Raja, opposing the