SC directs Telangana Speaker to decide disqualification petitions within three months

: The Supreme Court today directed the Telangana Speaker to decide disqualification petitions within three months.

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The Bench allowed the appeals filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders challenging the Telangana High Court’s refusal to direct the Assembly Speaker to adjudicate disqualification petitions against 10 MLAs who had defected to the ruling Congress party.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih emphasised that political defections pose a grave threat to democratic stability.

Delivering the judgment, CJI Gavai stated, “Political defection has been a matter of national discourse. If not curbed, it has the power to disrupt democracy.”

The Court reiterated that when the Speaker acts in disqualification matters under the Tenth Schedule, they function as a tribunal and are subject to judicial review.