Kolkata, Sept. 23 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday flagged the three-month delay in deciding disqualification petitions against 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs, but stopped short of imposing a deadline on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's plea seeking expeditious disposal of the petitions filed against the MPs.
Justice Bagchi said the passage of three months was a "red flag", particularly as the outcome could have a bearing on other proceedings and the democratic process.
The 20 MPs broke away from the TMC in June and announced that they had joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), while seeking recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha. Banerjee filed individual disqualification petitions before the Speaker on June 18, alleging that the MPs had voluntarily given up TMC membership.
Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the petitioner, said notices were issued to the MPs on August 5. Their initial 14-day response period was extended till September 22, while another extension has now been sought.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed judicially prescribing a time limit, saying the MPs must be given adequate opportunity to respond.
The Bench referred to the apex court's earlier guidance in Keisham Meghachandra Singh on deciding disqualification petitions within a reasonable period, with three months indicated in ordinary circumstances.
The court declined to fix a rigid deadline but kept the plea pending to monitor progress. The matter will be heard after six weeks.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.