Telangana Speaker Faces Supreme Court Wrath for Delaying Disqualification Petitions

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The Supreme Court on Monday issued a stern warning to the Telangana legislative assembly speaker for failing to meet a three-month deadline set in July to decide on disqualification petitions against 10 Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress last year. The court, led by Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai, expressed its displeasure at the prolonged inaction, calling it a 'gross contempt' of the court's authority. In a landmark judgment in July, the Supreme Court had ruled that constitutional courts can set timelines for speakers to decide disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law. The court had given the speaker three months to decide on the petitions, warning that failure to comply would amount to contempt. The speaker's counsel, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that proceedings were underway and had been delayed by just 10 days due to floods. However, the bench was unmoved, saying that the speaker had been given a clear timeline and it was for him to decide whether to comply or face further proceedings. The court also emphasized that the speaker, while deciding disqualification matters, acts as a tribunal and does not enjoy parliamentary immunity. His decisions are subject to judicial review, and he remains accountable to the court's timeline. The Supreme Court has issued notice in three contempt petitions filed by BRS legislators, including party working president KT Rama Rao, and sought a detailed explanation from the speaker within four weeks. The court has also granted the speaker personal exemption until the next order. The Telangana government, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, assured the court that it would convey the court's remarks to the Speaker. However, the bench made it clear that it is for the Speaker to take a call on whether to comply or face further proceedings, which would amount to gross contempt of the court.