Maharashtra political crisis: BIG relief for Eknath Shinde, Supreme Court says THIS on disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (July 11, 2022) asked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker to keep in abeyance the disqualification proceedings initiated against the members of Shiv Sena amid the ongoing political developments in the state. The apex court today hit the pause button on the legal battle for the control of Shiv Sena.

The top court directed the newly elected Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly, Rahul Narwekar, not to decide on the disqualification notices till the court rules on them.

Supreme Court asks Solicitor General to inform Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to not take any decision unless the plea is decided by SC.

SC says this matter will require the constitution of a bench & will take some time to be listed. The matter will not be listed tomorrow. — ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2022

“The court had said that the petitions would be listed on July 11. I urge that there should be no disqualification till the matter is decided here,” Sibal said, adding that earlier the top court had protected the rebel MLAs when they had approached it.

“Mr (Tushar) Mehta (Solicitor General who was appearing for the Governor), you please inform the assembly speaker not to take any hearing. Let us see, we will hear the matter,” the bench said.

Additionally, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said the matter will require the constitution of a bench and will take some time to be listed. The development comes after the court had not listed the matters relating to the Maharashtra political crisis on Monday, despite the vacation benches which took up those matters over the last two weeks saying they would be.

The Thackeray-led faction has also challenged the validity of assembly proceedings held on July 3 and July 4 in which a new speaker of the House was elected and subsequent proceedings of floor test in which the Shinde-led coalition had proved its majority.

Earlier, on June 27, the top court kept in abeyance the disqualification proceedings before the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly till July 11, and also sought responses from the state government and others on their pleas questioning the legality of notices seeking their disqualification.

(With agency inputs)