SC Rejects Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay's Plea on Disqualification of 10 TMC MLAs

The Supreme Court has rejected Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay's plea seeking action on the disqualification of 10 MLAs, including Ritabrata Banerjee. The court, however, indicated that the West Bengal Assembly Speaker should deal with the disqualification petitions within a reasonable timeframe.

Chattopadhyay had sought directions for an expedited decision on the disqualification petitions pending before the Speaker. The matter was heard on Monday by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

The court said the Speaker was aware of the principles laid down in earlier judgments and would endeavour to take an appropriate decision within the applicable framework. The case concerns disqualification petitions against 10 Trinamool Congress MLAs.

Chattopadhyay had earlier approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the Speaker's recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The High Court had declined to grant interim relief.

The Supreme Court proceedings also brought into focus the Speaker's constitutional role and the requirement that disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law be decided within a reasonable period.