Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala High Court has annulled Kerala Assembly Speaker N. Sakthan’s order disqualifying P. C. George as member of the House on the ground of defection.

The Court observed that the Speaker should have taken cognizance of the resignation letter submitted by Mr. George. The Speaker had failed to hear Mr. George. Moreover, the Speaker’s order did not have his signature or seal.

The Court directed the Speaker to reconsider the resignation letter and take action on it and the disqualification petition according to the law.

The Court order came in a petition filed by Mr. George challenging his disqualification. Mr. George said that he continued to be member of the Assembly (until his resignation is accepted by the Speaker) since the High Court had struck down his disqualification.

Government Chief Whip Thomas Unniyadan, who petitioned theSpeaker for disqualification of Mr. George, reportedly said that he would appeal against the Court order.

The Speaker had disqualified Mr. George in November on the ground that his resignation letter was submitted a day before he was to pronounce his order on the petition filed by Mr. Unniyadan after hearing both sides.