SC slams Telangana speaker for delay in MLA disqualification
HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court of India on Monday held the Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker in “gross contempt of court” for not deciding on the disqualification of 10 MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress. A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai warned the Speaker to decide within one week or face further action.
The court heard a petition from BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy, who sought the disqualification of MLAs who changed parties. The court had instructed the Speaker on July 31, 2025, to decide within three months, but the Speaker missed the deadline.
During the hearing, the judges were highly critical of the proceedings. “We have already said he does not have constitutional protection. It is up to him to decide the case or face contempt by the court,” the CJI stated, describing the inaction as “gross contempt.”
The court issued a formal notice to the Speaker on the contempt petition and moved the returnable date from four weeks to two, increasing the pressure. The apex court directed, “Finish it by next week or face the contempt.”
