I did conduct a ‘limited inquiry’ before accepting resignations of six AIADMK MLAs, Speaker tells HC
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has filed an affidavit in the Madras High Court confirming he conducted a limited inquiry before accepting the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs. The Speaker is defending his actions against a legal challenge brought by the AIADMK Whip, who disputes the validity of the resignation process.
Why it matters
This case highlights the intersection of judicial oversight and legislative autonomy, setting a precedent for how resignation procedures in state assemblies are scrutinized by the courts.
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Monday (August 17, 2026) told the Madras High Court he did conduct a “limited inquiry” before accepting the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs between May 26, 2026 and June 29, 2026.
In an affidavit filed before the first Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, he claimed to have inquired with the MLAs to ascertain whether they were resigning voluntarily and that their resignation letters were genuine.
The Speaker also entered appearance through Senior Counsel K.K. Venugopal in order to oppose a batch of four writ petitions filed by AIADMK Whip Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy. The petitioner had challenged the acceptance of the resignations submitted by Esakki Subaya, S. Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabhaskar who had been elected from Ambasamudram, Perundurai, Maduranthagam, Dharapuram, Viralimalai and Karur constituencies respectively.
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