Delhi, Sept. 29: The Supreme Court has reiterated the three-month deadline for deciding petitions seeking the disqualification of MLAs, expressing confidence that the West Bengal Assembly Speaker will comply with the court’s directions.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the remarks on Monday while hearing a petition filed by senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay.
Chattopadhyay approached West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathin Bose on July 7, seeking the disqualification of 10 MLAs from a rebel faction. He alleged that they had acted against the interests of the party.
Supreme Court Refers to Three-Month Deadline
The bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan, said it had strong reasons to believe that the Speaker would take an appropriate decision within the stipulated period.
The court referred to its January 2020 order directing the then Manipur Assembly Speaker to decide a disqualification petition within three months.
It observed that the three-month deadline in the West Bengal case would expire on October 10. The remarks came days after the West Bengal Assembly Secretariat issued notices to the 10 MLAs, seeking their responses within a week.
The Supreme Court also directed the Election Commission of India to resolve the dispute between the two rival TMC factions over the party’s name and its ‘flowers and grass’ symbol.
The bench asked both factions to complete their submissions before the Election Commission within four weeks. It directed the commission to decide the dispute within three months after hearing their arguments.
Supreme Court Cancels Shiv Sena Corporator’s Bail
In a separate case, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted by the Bombay High Court to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Matre in connection with an alleged attack on doctors at a municipal hospital in Maharashtra’s Thane district.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard a petition filed by the Maharashtra government and ordered Matre to surrender within three days.
The case relates to an incident on July 6 at Shastrinagar Hospital. Family members of a pregnant woman reportedly argued with hospital staff over an alleged delay in treatment before attacking doctors.
The Supreme Court said attacks on doctors providing essential medical services were unacceptable. It directed Matre to surrender following the cancellation of his bail.
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