Summary:
A sessions court in Gir Somnath had stayed his conviction, but the stay was set aside by the high court last week. The state government noted that the high court had also set aside Barad's conviction and jail term of two years and nine months. He was convicted of theft by the Sutrapada court on March 1, while he was disqualified as MLA on March 5. The submission was made before the high court by the state government in response to Barad's petition challenging announcement of by-election to Talala assembly seat by the Election Commission. The counsel said that the assembly speaker had not disqualified Bhaga Barad, but his post fell vacant automatically upon his conviction by a court in Sutrapada on March 1..