Supreme Court to Hear Plea on Disqualification of BRS MLAs Today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a series of petitions on Monday concerning the disqualification of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress party in Telangana. The hearing follows the Assembly Speaker's failure to decide on the matter by the court's October 31 deadline.

The top court had previously directed the Speaker to resolve the disqualification pleas filed by the BRS. However, the Speaker's office has now requested an eight-week extension, citing the Speaker's busy schedule with legislative sessions, international conferences, and foreign tours.

In response, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao has filed a contempt of court petition, alleging that the Speaker is intentionally delaying the proceedings. Another petition by BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy also seeks the disqualification of the ten defected legislators.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Justice Vinod Chandran, and Justice Anjaria will hear the combined petitions. The BRS is expected to argue that prominent defectors like Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari have not yet been questioned by the Speaker.

With CJI Gavai set to retire on November 24, there is uncertainty over whether a final decision will be delivered or if the case will be transferred to a new bench.