The High Court on Monday gave split verdicts in connection with a writ petition filed challenging the legality of article 70 of the constitution that allows the cancellation of parliament membership for crossing the floor, reports UNB.

After hearing the writ, senior judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the article 70 should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional while junior judge Md Ashraful Kamal dismissed the petition.

Advocate Eunus Ali Akanda, who filed the writ petition on 12 April 2017, said the petition will now be sent to the chief justice who will assign another bench to hear it.

According to the article 70, an MP shall vacate his parliamentary seat if he/she resigns from his/her party, or votes in parliament against his/her party, but shall not thereby be disqualified for subsequent election as a member of parliament.