Bangalore, February 14
In a major relief to the BJP government in Karnataka, the high court today dismissed petitions filed by five Independent MLAs, who had challenged their disqualification by Assembly Speaker KG Bopaiah.

A full Bench, comprising justices AS Bopanna, Mohan Shantanagoudar and S Abdul Nazeer, pronounced the order this afternoon. The Bench had, on February 1, reserved its order after hearing both parties.

After the court delivered its verdict, a jubilant Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa called up BJP leader and former Chandigarh MP Satyapal Jain, who was the main defence lawyer in the case, to compliment him. The Speaker had disqualified the five Independent MLAs, along with 11 BJP MLAs, on October 11, 2010, citing the anti-defection law.