SC warns T’gana speaker: Decide disqualification petitions without delay

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a stern warning to Telangana Assembly Speaker and Congress leader Gaddam Prasad Kumar for failing to act on the long-pending disqualification petitions filed against ten MLAs who defected from the BRS to the ruling Congress.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai directed the Speaker to take a final decision within one week. The court also adjourned the matter for four weeks but made it clear that non-compliance could lead to contempt proceedings.

The Bench observed that the responsibility to decide on disqualification petitions lies squarely with the Speaker and that he does not enjoy any constitutional immunity in such matters, as clarified in earlier judgments.

These comments came while hearing a contempt petition filed by BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy, who accused the Speaker of disobeying the Supreme Court’s earlier order. On July 31, the Court had instructed the Speaker to decide all related disqualification pleas within three months, but no action was taken.

The Supreme Court also directed the Speaker to formally respond to Kaushik Reddy’s contempt plea within two weeks. “The Speaker must choose whether he wants to decide the matter or face contempt of court,” Chief Justice Gavai remarked.

In its July order, the Court had advised the Speaker to expedite the hearings and cautioned that if any MLA attempted to delay the process, an adverse inference could be drawn against that member.

With the deadline nearing, political circles are now closely watching whether the Speaker will finally deliver a decision or risk contempt action from the country’s highest court.