Form HC bench to hear MP Minister's plea against disqualification: SC

New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court to constitute a bench to hear a plea of state minister Narottam Mishra, challenging his disqualification by the Election Commission.

The Commission has disqualified Mishra for not disclosing expenses he incurred on paid news in his election expenditure returns.

The bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed Mishra and complainant Rajender Bharti to approach the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday itself for setting up of the bench.

The apex court also directed immediate hearing of the matter, so as to decide the case before July 17 -- the day for polling to elect a new President to succeed outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee.

The order said that, if required, the hearing would continue even on the weekend.

The Madhya Pradesh minister, who has contested the Election Commission order on different counts, had sought an urgent hearing of his plea either by the high court or the apex court itself, so that he could participate in the presidential election.