Supreme Court voices disapproval of Maharashtra Speaker's disregard for directives

The Supreme Court voiced its severe disapproval on Friday of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's alleged disregard for its directives to resolve the disqualification cases brought by the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and others in a timely manner.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and the state's attorney general were directed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud to take up the matter with the Speaker and provide a response by Tuesday.

We sent out a warning in June. The Speaker hasn't done anything yet. It is not appropriate to treat these tribunal sessions as a farce. "These are important proceedings," noted Justice Chandrachud.

"We don't set a time schedule because we respect that it is an extension of the legislative government," the CJI continued. But we have to hold them responsible if he doesn't. We show respect to every arm of the government. However, the court's writ must run when it becomes apparent that its mandate is not being followed.

"Mr. Solicitor, we will pass an order by Monday if we don't find that a proper time schedule has been established." Two things worry us: first, our order is not being followed. The choice needs to be made, if not before, the following election. It is not a good idea to let this continue unchecked and allow the situation spiral out of control.

"You speak with the Speaker, along with the Maharashtra advocate general; report back to us on Monday." CJI Chandrachud stated, "We don't want this rigmarole of someone filing this or that."

However, the court scheduled a hearing on Tuesday in response to a plea by Mehta.

Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were among the bench when they uttered these words: "Mr. Solicitor-General, somebody has to advise the Speaker." He is unable to overturn the Supreme Court's rulings. The last time, we believed that common sense would win out. Our recommended schedule should not be interpreted as a way to perpetually postpone the hearing. Because in that case, the Uddhav faction's concern is justified.

"He needs to convey that he is treating the situation seriously. There has been no progress on the topic since June. A hearing is necessary.

The panel was considering a number of petitions from the Sena's Uddhav group and Sharad Pawar's NCP, which asked the Speaker to rule quickly on Shinde's disqualification as well as that of a few MLAs who defected from the Shiv Sena in order to join the BJP in government.