A Panchkula court today allowed murder accused MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary to take oath in Himachal legislative assembly on January 24. The decision came following the request of accused Chaudhary demanding permission for oath ceremony.
The request was filed before the court on January 18 and the defense counsel of Chaudhary, advocate AS Sukhija, has produced a letter showing the availability of speaker of Himachal assembly for three dates included January 24, January 30 and January 31. However, the court granted the permission to take the oath for January 24.
Sukhija stated under article 188 of Constitution of India, MLA and every member of the legislative assembly or the legislative council of a state shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the Governor, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form.
The district police, which had been earlier failed to file its reply on January 20, has not raised any objection and refused to file any written reply. Chaudhary is currently lodged in Ambala Central Jail in judicial custody in the connection of murder of Jyoti Devi. The girl was found murdered in sector 21 on November 22, 2012.
After hiding for more then month, Ram Kumar Chaudhary had surrendered in a Panchkula court on January 8 this year and his three other associates have been arrested this year. All are in police remand.
Source-TNN
