THOTA VENKATESWARA RAO vs THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AND ORS.

The Supreme Court set aside the judgments dated 11.12.2014 and 12.12.2014 concerning the disqualification of the appellants under Rule 6(8)(i) of the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Rules, 2005. The Court held that the High Court should have addressed the legal questions raised instead of referring them to the Presiding Officer. The matter was remitted back to the High Court for consideration on merits, with a directive to resolve the issues expeditiously, while maintaining the stay on suspension of membership.