Telangana: SC Reserves Order On Plea Over Speaker’s Delay In MLAs’ Disqualification Case

The Supreme Court has reserved its order on petitions filed by BRS MLAs challenging the delay by the Telangana Assembly Speaker in deciding disqualification petitions against defected legislators.

During the hearing on Wednesday, a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih questioned the prolonged inaction, pressing senior advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the respondents, to explain the delay. The court noted that the Telangana High Court's Division Bench had no grounds to interfere with the Single Bench order, which had only directed the Speaker to set a schedule within four weeks.

Legal news publication Live Law reported on Thursday that Justice Gavai asked Singhvi what would constitute a "reasonable period" for the Speaker to act. "Should we wait until 2028 and allow a mockery of the process?" he asked. Singhvi acknowledged that such a delay was unacceptable and proposed a six-month timeframe.

The court also expressed concern over recent Telangana Assembly proceedings, where Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy defended the government's stance, while a BRS MLA opposed discussing the issue, citing its pending status before the Supreme Court. Justice Gavai remarked that the Chief Minister should have exercised greater restraint.

Highlighting the constitutional responsibility of the judiciary, Justice Gavai emphasized that Article 226 empowers courts to ensure justice. He also criticized the selective invocation of High Court proceedings as a justification for delays while legislative actions continued despite the Supreme Court's notice.

Senior advocate Aryaman Sundaram, representing the petitioners, accused the respondents of adopting contradictory positions. "They argue that courts cannot interfere before a decision is made but later concede that exceptional delays warrant intervention," he pointed out. Sundaram contended that the Speaker's prolonged silence and inaction were deeply concerning and urged the court to impose a strict deadline for a decision.

With arguments concluded, the Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the matter.