Supreme Court urges West Bengal Assembly Speaker to decide disqualification petitions within October 8
The Supreme Court of India has urged the West Bengal Assembly Speaker to resolve disqualification petitions against rebel MLAs by October 8. The court emphasized the need for timely decisions to prevent political instability and the misuse of anti-defection laws.
Why it matters
This case addresses the balance of power between the judiciary and legislative speakers regarding the enforcement of anti-defection laws in Indian politics.
The Supreme Court on Monday (September 28, 2026) urged the Speaker of the West Bengal State Legislative Assembly to conclude the disqualification proceedings initiated by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress faction against rival Ritabrata Banerjee faction under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution for alleged defection by October 8, 2026.
Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Vivek Tankha and advocate Preetika Dwivedi, appearing for the Mamata Banerjee camp, said the apex court had held in the Keisham Meghachandra Singh versus Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly judgment that the Assembly Speaker, acting as a Tribunal under the anti-defection law of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, must decide disqualification petitions within a “reasonable time”.
The court had suggested three months to be a reasonable time unless exceptional circumstances exist.
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