Karnataka crisis: SC directs 10 rebel MLAs to appear before Speaker by 1800 hrs

New Delhi:The Supreme court on Thursday directed ten rebel MLAs from Karnataka to appear before Speaker Ramesh Kumar of the Legislative Assembly by 1800 hrs.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, asked the Speaker to take a decision in the remaining part of the day. 

The MLAs are now likely to fly from Mumbai to Bengaluru to meet the Speaker. In their plea, they had alleged that the Speaker had refused to meet them all together.

The top court also ordered the DGP of Karnataka to provide protection to all the rebel MLAs and adjourned the hearing for July 12. The Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, requested the Speaker to inform the court of the developments by Friday, when the court will resume hearing on rebel MLAs'plea.

Major developments are underway in Bengaluru as a cabinet meeting has the city on edge. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is also scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Alok Kumar has issued prohibitory orders within the two-km area around the Vidhana Soudha.(UNI)