SC Raps Maharashtra Speaker For Delaying Disqualification Pleas

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a strong reprimand to the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly for the delayed handling of disqualification petitions concerning Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 56 rebel MLAs from the Shiv Sena. The apex court directed the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, to promptly schedule hearings for the disqualification pleas within a week and establish a timeline for their resolution.

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressed concern over the prolonged delay in making a decision and emphasized that Speaker Rahul Narwekar must uphold the dignity of the Supreme Court.

CJI DY Chandrachud remarked, "The Speaker has to honor the dignity of the Supreme Court," addressing the delay in addressing the disqualification petitions of Shiv Sena MLAs.

Despite arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who contended that the Speaker should not be treated like a school child, the Supreme Court insisted on a timeline for the disqualification petition hearings. The court emphasized that it expects the Speaker to demonstrate respect and adherence to its directives, particularly in the context of the ongoing Maharashtra political dispute.

In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar of of deliberately delaying a decision on disqualification petitions filed against MLAs from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's camp by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. This inaction shows Narwekar is supporting the ''unconstitutional'' government, he alleged while speaking to reporters.

Raut further noted that the Supreme Court has clarified that the switching of some MLAs from one political party to another does not constitute a formal split. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena had submitted disqualification petitions against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and several other MLAs, including cabinet ministers.

"We will bring these issues before the Supreme Court, and hopefully, we will obtain justice," Raut stated.

Additionally, Raut raised concerns about ministers and leaders who oversee sugar mills in Maharashtra and alleged that some had switched their allegiances to the state government in an effort to evade scrutiny by Central investigative agencies.

He stated, "Ministers who oversee certain sugar mills facing allegations of financial irregularities and corruption have shifted their loyalties and joined the state government to seek relief from Central probe agencies." Raut claimed to have informed Central investigation agencies about such improprieties on multiple occasions.

Raut pointed out specific sugar mills with alleged corruption charges, such as the Pravara sugar mill controlled by Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, the sugar mill controlled by Rahul Kul, and the Jarandeshwar sugar mill linked to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, all facing significant allegations of financial improprieties.