SC Slams Telangana Speaker Over MLA Disqualification Delay, Calls It ‘Grossest Contempt’
The Supreme Court issues contempt notice to the Telangana Speaker for failing to rule on disqualification pleas of 10 BRS MLAs within the court-ordered timeframe. The hearing has been adjourned for four weeks.
SC Pulls Up Telangana Speaker for Delaying Action on Defected MLAs
The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the Telangana Assembly Speaker for failing to act on disqualification petitions filed against 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress. A bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai described the inaction as the “grossest kind of contempt”, issuing notices to the Speaker and other officials for not adhering to its earlier directive.
Back on July 31, the apex court had given the Speaker a three-month deadline to resolve the matter. However, with no decision yet made, the Court expressed strong displeasure, remarking that such delays undermine the constitutional process. Although the Speaker was exempted from personal appearance for now, the bench stressed that the responsibility to comply lies squarely with him.
Senior advocates representing the Speaker’s office requested an extension of eight weeks, stating that hearings in most cases were already complete. The Court has now adjourned the matter for four weeks, with counsel assuring that the gravity of the Court’s concern will be communicated.
While political crossovers are not new to Telangana, the prolonged delay in addressing defection pleas raises questions about legislative accountability. Legal experts say this case could set a precedent for stricter enforcement of anti-defection laws under the Tenth Schedule, which governs disqualification due to party switching.
With the Supreme Court reiterating that the Speaker functions as a tribunal in such cases—not a constitutional authority immune from scrutiny—the coming weeks will be crucial not only for the MLAs involved but also for maintaining democratic integrity within state legislatures.