SC grants four-week extension to Telangana Speaker on MLA disqualification pleas

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court on Monday granted Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar four more weeks to decide on disqualification petitions filed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) against its defected MLAs. The court also issued notices to the Speaker in a contempt petition moved by BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao, warning that the delay amounted to gross contempt.

Speaker’s delay draws court warning

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai expressed strong displeasure over the Speaker’s failure to act within the timeline set by the court. On July 31, 2025, the Supreme Court had directed the Speaker to dispose of the disqualification pleas by October 31. The direction came under the purview of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which governs anti-defection provisions.

Despite this order, the Speaker failed to act within the deadline. The Telangana Legislature Secretary then approached the court seeking a four-week extension. Meanwhile, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao filed a contempt petition against the Speaker, alleging deliberate non-compliance. Another petitioner urged the court to take over the matter directly, citing constitutional urgency.

Court cites no immunity under Tenth Schedule

The court reiterated that the Speaker does not enjoy constitutional immunity when adjudicating disqualification cases under the Tenth Schedule. “It is for him to decide whether he wants to resolve the matter or face contempt. This is gross contempt of court,” the bench observed.

After hearing all submissions, the Supreme Court granted the extension but made it clear that further delay could invite serious consequences. The case has been adjourned pending compliance.