Hyderabad: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday closed proceedings in the BRS defection case after the Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker delivered a decision on petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs who joined the Congress.
The petitions were filed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi against legislators who allegedly switched allegiance to the ruling Indian National Congress.
A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Karol heard the matter.
During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of the Speaker. Singhvi informed the court that the Speaker had completed the inquiry into the disqualification petitions. He said the Speaker had finalised the proceedings and issued a definitive order on the complaints.
After hearing the submission, the bench observed that further hearing in the BRS defection case was unnecessary and formally closed the proceedings.
Court directs sharing of BRS defection case records
During the hearing, counsel for the BRS informed the bench that the petitioners had not yet received copies of the Speaker’s order.
The court noted the concern and issued directions to the Speaker’s office.
It ordered the office to provide copies of the verdict to the petitioners within two days. The bench also directed the office to share all documents related to the BRS defection case.
These include records of the proceedings and any additional material requested by the petitioners. The court said the documents should be supplied within four days.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had examined petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs who allegedly joined the Congress. The petitions also raised concerns over delays in the Speaker’s decision.
Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar delivered his verdict on Wednesday on two pending petitions. In the order, the Speaker dismissed complaints against 10 MLAs who had switched parties. He said the petitions lacked sufficient evidence to justify disqualification.
The decision effectively concluded the inquiry that formed the basis of the BRS defection case before the Supreme Court.
