AAP's HS Phoolka said he wants to appear in the riots cases without taking any fee. (File)
Aam Aadmi Party legislator HS Phoolka today said he will quit as leader of opposition in the Punjab assembly to continue to appear in courts for those seeking justice in the
1984 anti-Sikh riots cases. Mr Phoolka, a Supreme Court lawyer, had said he could give up the cabinet minister status, which he enjoys as leader of opposition, in order to continue to represent the riot victims in courts.
He had said the Delhi Bar Council did not allow him from appearing for the victims in several cases against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others, citing he enjoyed an office of profit.
"I have decided to quit as the leader of opposition in the Punjab assembly and I have conveyed my decision to the party high command," he said.
The Member of Legislative Assembly or MLA from Dakha seat said he has recommended the names of AAP legislators Sukhpal Khaira, Kanwar Sandhu and Aman Arora, according to their seniority, to the party high command to elect a leader of opposition from among them. The AAP will soon take a decision on who will be the next leader of opposition, Mr Phoolka said.
He said he had asked the Delhi Bar Council to allow him to appear in court for the
1984 anti-
Sikh riots victims as he was fighting the cases without taking any fee. "But my pleas were not accepted," he said.
Mr Phoolka said he had been fighting the cases for a long time, and they had reached a very "crucial" stage. "My presence in anti-Sikh riots cases is important at this stage; that is why I decided to quit as the leader of opposition," he said.
Last Wednesday, Mr Phoolka had tweeted, "Will not give up '84 carnage cases. Asking Bar Council if by giving up minister status, I can appear in these cases."
Two days earlier, he had tweeted: "Sought permission to do '84 carnage case pro bono, Bar Council should realise, it doesn't amount to practice, rather should encourage it. Seek review."