Judge hearing MLAs’ plea changed

Justice M Duraiswamy, who heard both the pleas at length, had called for a final hearing of the same on October 4. But now, he will not be hearing it owing to the regular portfolio change that is done every three months. As per the new sitting arrangement of the judges, which comes into effect from October 3, Justice K Ravichandrabaabu has been allocated with the portfolio held by Justice Duraiswamy.

This means that both the pleas are set to come before Justice Ravichandrabaabu on the scheduled date. However, legal experts point out that with an interim order already in place, hearing would continue from the stage where it ended. 

Moreover, with the counter by the state set to be filed on that day over the dismissal of the MLAs and the DMK plea still at the stage of maintainability, arguments would transpire on the main prayer challenging the dismissal of the 18 MLAs.