Rajasthan Political Crisis LIVE Updates: Sachin Pilot Sends Legal Notice to Cong MLA Over Bribery Charges to Join BJP

Pilot Sends Notice to Giriraj Singh Malinga | Sachin Pilot sends a legal notice to Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga for stating that the former Deputy CM of Rajasthan offered him money to join the BJP.

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamath, who appeared for Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi argued that by refusing to attend Congress Legislature party meeting, the MLAS invited disqualification under Para 2(1)(a) of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. The provision disqualifies MLAs if they 'voluntarily give up' the membership of the party which they represent in the House. He contended that the 10th Schedule applies to the conduct outside the House.

Recap | Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs got another reprieve with the Rajasthan High Court putting off its order on their petitions for three days and the Speaker also agreeing to defer any action till then. The division bench completed the hearing of arguments and said it will pronounce its order on Friday, requesting the Speaker too to extend his deadline for accepting the MLAs replies to the notices.

In the view of the request of Rajasthan High Court, Speaker CP Joshi has postponed the further course of action, in connection with disqualification notice sent to 19 MLAs, till the evening of 24th July: Rajasthan Assembly Secretariat

According to sources, there is possibility of calling a session of the Rajasthan Assembly to goad dissident Congress MLAs. A whip may be issued for the passage of some bill. 

Will Defer Disqualification Proceedings till July 24: Speaker | Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi informs lawyers of both camps that he will defer the disqualification proceedings till 5:30pm July 24, as requested by the High Court.

After the meeting with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Medical and Health Minister Raghu Sharma said the cabinet has decided to give some concessions to the tourism industry. The coronavirus pandemic situation in the state was reviewed in detail. Discussions were held on ways to improve recovery rate and decrease mortality rate, Sharma told reporters.

Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi leaves from Vishan Sabha after discussing the High Court's order with the State Assembly Secretary.

Avinash Pandey, Randeep Surjewala. Bhawani Shankar, Devdutt Kamat and other lawyers reach the Rajasthan Assembly. They are in conference with the Assembly Speaker.

In an operation by Special Operations Group (SOG) in Udaipur, Rs 1.25 crore were recovered from the possession of three people in two cars. They are being questioned regarding the money. The bail application of accused Bharat Malani has been rejected: ATS and SOG. 

Speaker Begins Hearing on Notice to Rebel MLAs | Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi begins hearing on notice to rebel MLAs. He is at Vidhan Sabha, discussing Rajasthan High Court's order with State Assembly Secretary.

Rajasthan Speaker CP Joshi is at Vidhan Sabha, discussing Rajasthan High Court's order with State Assembly Secretary.

Truth Will Prevail, State Govt to Emerge Victorious: Gehlot | The fight will continue till the victory of truth, he claimed, adding that his government is strong and stable and will continue to serve people of the state for five years. The truth will prevail and the state government will emerge victorious in all circumstances, he said. The CM also said those playing hide-and-seek can never be with the truth. Gehlot also thanked the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal legislator for supporting the Congress.

Find an Honourable Formula: Khurshid to Congress | Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid favoured working out an honourable formula to deal with the political crisis in Rajasthan and appeared to back a rapprochement with Sachin Pilot, who has raised a banner of revolt against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. As a party man and as someone who knew the son of his very dear friend late Congress leader Rajesh Pilot, since his childhood, the former union minister said he is very sad at the turn of events in the state.

The meeting called by Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot concludes.

In a meeting of the Rajasthan Cabinet, Ashok Gehlot says those who have betrayed the party will not be able to face the people.

The high court had given a four-day reprieve to Sachin Pilot and other Congress dissidents from any action by Rajasthan Speaker on the disqualification notices served on them by extending the hearing into their petition. The hearing continued on Monday but it remained inconclusive and resumed on Tuesday.

Speaker Says No Action on Disqualification Till HC Order | Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi says that action will not be taken on the disqualification notice until the High Court reaches a decision.

HC Requests Speaker to Defer Disqualification till Friday | The Rajasthan High Court requested the Legislative Assembly speaker to defer action on disqualification notices to dissident Congress MLAs till July 24, the speaker's counsel said. The court also reserved its judgment on the writ petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 dissident legislators for July 24.

Neither Congress nor BJP want Assembly to be dissolved and election to take place. Entire country is watching the way you're fighting. Your respect has increased manifold. It's not something ordinary.All of you have phones, there's no pressure on anyone, Rajasthan CM tells MLAs at CLP meeting.

Cabinet meeting at CM Residence in Jaipur will begin shortly. Likely to discuss proposal to call for the Assembly session.

The Gandhis may end up dumping Pilot for the sake of the party. But this also reflects the fact that they have been unable to help their own.

No Action against MLAs Till July 24: HC | Rajasthan High Court tells Assembly Speaker, no action will be taken against Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel MLAs till July 24. Court reserves its order till then.

Rajasthan HC Hearing Update | The bench starts dictating its order after hearing arguments from all sides. Verdict to be announced shortly.

Abhinav Bhandari Explains Purpose of Schedule 10 | Public Against Corruption advocate Abhinav Bhandari reads the Law Commission report in the court and explains the purpose of Schedule 10. Referring to old judgments passed by the Supreme Court, Bhandari says if Schedule 10 has to be expelled or its validity has to be questioned, then there will be no purpose of the Defection law. The high court cannot solely discuss the validity of Schedule 10 as it has been passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the Centre needs to be involved while discussing the validity of the schedule, he said.

Rajasthan HC Hearing Update | Court asks advocates PC Bhandari and Vimal Choudhary why should they be heard as it not a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and the matter is not related to public interest but to the interest of the party. 

Gehlot to Chair Cabinet Meeting at 3 PM | Cabinet meeting will take place at 3 pm at CM Residence in Jaipur and will be presided over by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Likely to discuss proposal to call for the Assembly session.

Rajasthan HC Hearing Update | Advocates Vimal Choudhary and PC Bhandari will be heard when the High Court hearing begins post lunch. Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta will hear the arguments and will likely pass a judgement thereafter.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot speaks at the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur. 

The judgment of the much talked about Raja Mansingh murder case has been announced. District Judge Sadhna Rani Thakur announced the judgement. 11 police personnel have been convicted under Section 148, 149 and 302.