Supreme Court Issues Notice On Disqualification Of BRS MLAs In Telangana

In a notable development concerning the disqualification of BRS MLAs in Telangana, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and others involved in the case.

The court will hear the matter again on March 25.

The case pertains to a petition filed against the delay in disqualifying seven BRS MLAs accused of defection, a matter that has gained significant attention due to its political implications.

BRS representatives argue that the Telangana Assembly Speaker’s delay in resolving the disqualification petitions is causing injustice and needs prompt resolution.

During the proceedings, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih, raised questions about the prolonged delays in deciding the disqualification petitions.

The bench pointed out that such delays should not become a regular occurrence and must be addressed promptly.

Justice Gavai emphasized that it cannot be acceptable that just because an operation (or action) succeeds, the outcome should always result in a negative consequence.

This remark came in response to the petitioners’ argument that the Assembly Speaker was taking an excessive amount of time to decide on the disqualification petitions of these MLAs.

Speaker’s Delay In Deciding Disqualification Petitions

In a previous hearing, the Supreme Court had directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker to set a reasonable timeline to resolve the disqualification petitions.

However, the Speaker has still not acted on the petitions, leading to further delays.

The petitioners have now urged the court to intervene and order the Speaker to make a decision within a fixed timeframe.

The petition filed by BRS also contends that despite the complaints about defection being lodged nine months ago, the Speaker has failed to decide on the matter, which they argue undermines the democratic principles of accountability and transparency.

Court Stresses Timely Decision

The court’s concerns highlight a broader issue related to political accountability and the necessity for timely decisions in legislative matters.

In this context, the bench expressed that delays in resolving such critical cases could have lasting consequences for the integrity of democratic processes.

Consequently, the petitioners, in their appeal to the court, have urged that the Speaker must decide within four weeks, in line with the timeline set by the High Court under the Anti-Defection Law.

The petitioners in the case involve seven MLAs accused of defection, including Srinivas Reddy Parigi, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, Kale Yadaya, T. Prakash Goud, A. Gandhi, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and M. Sanjay Kumar.

These MLAs allegedly switched political allegiance, prompting calls for their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the need for timely action in disqualification cases, especially when they involve elected representatives.

The case has sparked debates about political accountability and the importance of resolving such disputes without unnecessary delays to preserve the democratic process.

The next hearing on March 25 will determine the future course of action in this matter.

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