BRS files contempt plea in Supreme Court against Telangana Speaker over delay in disqualification of MLAs

The BRS filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against the Telangana Assembly Speaker for failing to decide on disqualification pleas of its defected MLAs within the three-month deadline. The apex court will hear the matter next Monday.

Hyderabad: A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly for failing to decide the disqualification pleas of BRS legislators who defected to the ruling Congress, despite a three-month deadline set by the apex court on July 31. The BRS moved the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking urgent listing, as the proceedings were not completed even 10 days after the deadline had concluded.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai agreed to list the matter on next Monday.

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The counsel for the petitioners argued that the Speaker has not touched the matter or conducted any proceedings, adding that the MLAs continue to hold office in violation of the court’s earlier order. “Your lordships held if any MLA was trying to protract the proceedings, adverse inference would be drawn. Two petitions there. Speaker has not touched them. Others are in evidence stage,” the counsel submitted, seeking listing tomorrow.

When the counsel hinted that the respondents were dragging the proceedings until the CJI’s retirement on November 23, Justice Gavai remarked, “The Supreme Court will not close after November 24.”

A total of 10 BRS legislators including Danam Nagender, T Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Arekapudi Gandhi, Kale Yadaiah, M Sanjay Kumar, Kadiam Srihari, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Tellam Venkat Rao, and Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, defected to the ruling Congress. Acting on disqualification petitions filed by BRS, the Supreme Court had directed the Speaker to complete the inquiry and decide the disqualification petitions within three months.

Despite the Supreme Court directions issued in July, the proceedings on the disqualification petitions did not commence for nearly two months. On September 24, notices were served to all 10 MLAs, of whom eight have submitted written replies and affidavits. Danam Nagender and Kadiam Srihari sought more time to respond. While the Speaker granted an extension, no deadline was specified.

Despite notices and partial hearings, the proceedings have not concluded, with the deadline having expired on October 31. The Speaker concluded hearing of disqualification petitions against four MLAs, and those pertaining to another four MLAs are underway, and are scheduled for hearing again on November 12 and 13. Recently, the Speaker submitted to the Supreme Court for extension of the deadline by four more weeks.