A petition was filed in the high court yesterday by the ten members group praying for quashing of the order of the speaker and also praying for stay in the matter.

D'Souza is directed by the governor of Goa to seek vote of confidence latest by August 21.

Meanwhile, Shantaram Naik, president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee was today manhandled by a group irate persons and his face painted with black colour.

The incident occured when Shantram Naik, also an advocate, earlier visited the high court where the disqualification petition was heard and then came to the town for having tea at a restaurant. Naik escaped unhurt, but his pair of glasses fell down and shirt was totally spoiled. He was badly roughed up, he said.

Later, he lodged a policecomplaint and exhibited his shirt to reporters.