India, March 20 -- In a major political development, the Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Mukesh Malhotra, allowing him to continue as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Vijaypur constituency in Madhya Pradesh, while staying the earlier order of the High Court that had annulled his election.

The relief was granted by a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan, which put the High Court's decision on hold and restored Malhotra's position for the time being.

However, the court imposed certain restrictions, barring him from voting in Assembly proceedings, including the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, and withholding his salary and official allowances until a final decision is reached....