Observing that Maharashtra assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar seems to have done “nothing” in the past four months to decide on the disqualification applications of MLAs, filed by rival Shiv Sena factions, the Supreme Court directed him to expedite proceedings and asked him to place before the SC a schedule for wrapping up hearing and taking decisions.
A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that it had on May 11 directed the Speaker to decide on the pleas within “a reasonable time. It appears that nothing has happened... You cannot say that you will hear in due course,” the bench told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Speaker. The bench, after hearing both factions and the Speaker, said that disqualification proceedings cannot be delayed indefinitely and the Speaker has to abide by its order to maintain the court’s dignity.