Speaker Is Fully Cognizant Of Law Laid Down By This Court: Supreme Court Disposes Of Plea Seeking Early Decision On WB Assembly Disqualification Petitions

The Supreme Court has disposed of a writ petition seeking directions to the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for expeditious adjudication of disqualification petitions filed against 10 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs.

The Court urged the Speaker to abide by the three-month timeframe laid down in the Keisham Meghachandra Singh (2021) precedent and decide on the matter by October 8, 2026.

A writ petition was filed by MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay seeking a writ of mandamus to the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for expeditious adjudication of disqualification petitions said to have been filed on July 8, 2026 against 10 members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana ordered, "We note here that this Court in Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. Hon'ble Speaker(2021) has authoritatively ruled that while deciding disqualification petitions, the Hon'ble Speaker acts as a tribunal, exercises the powers of a tribunal and such power is expected to be exercised within a reasonable period, for three months. In the case in hand, the period of three months is to expire on 8th October 2026. We have every reason to believe that the Speaker of the State Assembly is fully cognizant of the principles laid down by this Court and will make all endeavor to take an appropriate decision within the framework of that decision. The petition stands disposed of accordingly, in light of the above instructions."

Advocates Kapil Sibal and Kalyan Banerjee appeared for Chattopadhyay

The Respondents/MLAs are: Arup Roy, Ritabrata Banerjee, Janab Firad Hakim, Sandipan Saha, Seuli Saha, Akhruzzaman, Sabina Yeasmin, Rathin Ghosh, Biplab Mitra and Javed Ahmed Khan

Chief Justice Kant said, "Today, we will dispose of, by disposing of, observing that we are hopeful that the learned Speaker will follow the law laid down by this Court."

Sibal added, "But you may examine one day this pattern. That has to be examined."

Justice Bagchi said, "We should see the mirror before we give directions. There are so many statutes where the judiciary is required to complete proceedings within a timeframe. We are gloriously in breach of it. (Laughter in court) After that, we can ask a statutory constitutional body."

After the election in 2026, the All India Trinamool Congress and private respondents were alleged to have constituted a rival group. Pursuant to an alleged special session convened on June 22, 2026, the decision of the private respondents has been challenged by the petitioner and some other MLAs through disqualification petitions said to have been filed on 8th July 2026.

Accordingly, the plea was disposed of.

Cause Title: Sohandeb Chattopadhyay v. Hon'ble Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Ors.[W.P.(C) No.1192/2026]