Expulsion of RJD MLC over criticising CM excessive: SC

THE PERIOD OF EXPULSION UNDERGONE BY THE PETITIONER SHALL BE DEEMED AS HIS SUSPENSION PERIOD, SC SAID

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the expulsion of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator Sunil Kumar Singh from the Bihar legislative council, ruling that the punishment was "excessive" and "disproportionate", even as it underscored the necessity for lawmakers to exhibit restraint and maintain decorum in their conduct given the influential roles they occupy in a political democracy.

Singh was expelled in July 2024 following allegations that he made derogatory remarks against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during a heated exchange in the House. A motion for his expulsion was passed on February 13, 2024, a day after the ethics committee of the legislative council submitted its report recommending his removal. But the Supreme Court, in its ruling, emphasised that while Singh's conduct was "abhorrent" and "unbecoming of a legislator," the punishment imposed on him was excessive and warranted judicial intervention.