Gauhati HC Dismisses Minister's Appellate Power in Arunachal Defection Law

The Gauhati High Court today invalidated the appellate power vested in the minister under the Arunachal defection law. The court held that the provision granting the minister the authority to hear appeals was unconstitutional and therefore void. The ruling removes a key mechanism that had allowed the state government to intervene in cases of political defection. While the decision does not alter the core defection provisions, it limits the minister’s ability to overturn lower court or tribunal findings. The judgment is expected to prompt a review of the law’s remaining provisions and may influence future legislative amendments.