SC confident Bengal speaker aware of TMC rebel disqualification deadline

The Supreme Court on Monday indicated it has every reason to believe that West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathin Bose is "fully cognisant" of the apex court's directive to decide the disqualification petition against 10 rebel TMC MLAs within three months.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the observations while hearing a plea filed by TMC MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay, who sought directions to the speaker to expeditiously decide on the disqualification petition against the rebel legislators.

"We have every reason to believe that the speaker is fully cognisant of the decision of this court and he will make an endeavour to take an appropriate decision within the time-frame fixed," the bench said while disposing of the plea. The court noted that the three-month period for the speaker's decision would expire on October 10.

The disqualification petition against the 10 rebel MLAs has been pending before the speaker's office. Chattopadhyay's plea sought to compel expedited action on the matter, which has remained unresolved for some time. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the importance of adhering to the prescribed timeline in the case.