The Court was hearing a petition by Byrappa and others who had challenged the order dated June 30, 2009, disqualifying them as members. The petitioners, JD(S) members, had violated the whip order by their party President during the no confidence motion November 27, 2008.

Following the DC order, the petitioners submitted that they had quit the JD(S) by then and formed a people’s front on their own and the whip order did not apply to them. Justice Nagmohan Das, who heard the matter dismissed the petition stating that the front is not a political party as per the rules, and they were not entitled to seek exemption of disqualification.

A similar petition by G Selvaraj challenging the disqualification order by DC Kollegal was also dismissed by Justice Nagamohan Das.