SC orders status quo on Karnataka rebel MLAs, to hear matter again on Tuesday

In an unprecedented order, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Karnataka Assembly Speaker not to act either on disqualifications or resignations of 10 rebel MLAs till it hears the matter further on July 16.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said it would examine all constitutional issues in the case on Tuesday after getting more facts.

The court order came after the counsel for the Speaker argued that he would have to examine the disqualification applications against the rebel MLAs ahead of their resignation letters, and the MLAs argued that Speaker Ramesh Kumar was acting mala fide.


"We are of the view that the status quo as of today with regard to the prevailing situation be maintained., " the order said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the MLAs, said the Speaker could be given two or three days to decide on the resignations, and if it doesn't happen, contempt proceedings could be started against him.

"The idea behind keeping the resignation issue pending is to bind the MLAs to the party whip," Rohatgi argued.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Speaker, pointed out that disqualification proceedings had been filed against the rebel MLAs and the Speaker had to decide that ahead of the resignations.

"The speaker is duty-bound and empowered to decide on disqualification of MLAs first," he told the court.