The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the Telangana Assembly Speaker for failing to decide disqualification petitions related to alleged defections of BRS MLAs, making it clear that this was the final opportunity to act.

Hearing the matter, a Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice A G Masih expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged delay by the Speaker in taking a decision. The Court warned that if the Speaker does not conclude the proceedings within two weeks, it would step in and pass appropriate orders itself.

The Bench noted that although action had been taken in seven cases, there was no decision so far in the remaining disqualification petitions. Emphasising that sufficient time had already been granted, the Court said this would be the last chance for compliance.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Speaker, informed the Court that inquiries had been completed in seven cases and orders passed. However, lawyers representing the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) contended that the Speaker had failed to fully implement earlier directions of the Supreme Court.

Taking serious note, the Bench observed that the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Gaddam Prasad Kumar, had not acted on the pending cases despite repeated opportunities. The Court warned that continued inaction would compel it to take a stern view.

So far, out of the 10 BRS MLAs against whom disqualification petitions were filed, seven have been given a clean chit by the Speaker, with the petitions dismissed. On January 15, the Speaker rejected the disqualification pleas against Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Kale Yadaiah, stating that there was no evidence to prove that they had defected and that they continued to be recognised as BRS MLAs.

The Supreme Court recalled that it had begun hearing the matter in November last year and had granted the Speaker four weeks to decide the cases. Seeking more time, the Speaker’s counsel requested an additional four weeks to complete hearings in the remaining three cases.

The Court, however, directed the Speaker to file an affidavit within two weeks, detailing the steps taken and progress made in disposing of the pending petitions. It clarified that the request for additional time would be considered only if there was visible and concrete progress. The matter will be taken up for further hearing after two weeks. Disqualification petitions against Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, and Sanjay are still pending. In the other cases, the Speaker had dismissed the petitions citing lack of credible evidence of defection. The Supreme Court clarified that it would not, at this stage, examine the merits or flaws in the Speaker’s decisions. Any objections to those orders, it said, must be raised through separate legal proceedings.