The Delhi high court on Monday issued a notice to Bharatiya Janata Party MP V K Malhotra on a petition seeking his disqualification from the Lok Sabha as he was holding an "office of profit".

Malhotra is the president of the All India Council of Sports.

The petition, filed by one Mohammed Kallimullah, alleged that Malhotra had made a false declaration at the time of filing his nomination in March 2004 that he was not holding any "office of profit".

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Senior counsel R K Anand, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the post of the president of the All India Council of Sports carried the rank of a Cabinet minister with all associated perks, benefits and facilities.

He argued that Malhotra should be disqualified under the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, which barred MPs from holding such posts.

Following the submissions, Justice Vikramjit Sen issued notice to the Election Commission, Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, besides Malhotra, asking them to file replies, and posted the matter for further hearing to April 5.

Incidentally, Anand, who was fielded by the Congress for the south Delhi constituency, tasted defeat at the hands of Malhotra in the same elections.