Congress MP Rashid Masood has been disqualified from the Rajya Sabha after being convicted in a corruption case.

Masood became the first MP to lose seat after the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts.

The notification formally announcing a vacancy in the Rajya Sabha following Masood’s disqualification was issued by Rajya Sabha Secretariat today. A copy of the notification has also been sent to the Election Commission for necessary action.

Masood’s disaffiliation came after a Delhi court sentenced him for four years in jail in connection with MBBS seat scam. He has been found guilty of nominating undeserving candidates to medical seats allocated to Tripura from the Central Pool. The fraud was carried out during Masood’s tenure as Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in 1990-91.