SC Quashes Expulsion Of RJD Leader Who Called CM Nitish Kumar 'Palturam'

The Court observed that Singh's conduct was "abhorrent" and "unbecoming", but it held the punishment of expulsion was "highly excessive".

Singh used defamatory words against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during a heated debate last year.

Source : IPRD

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Bihar Legislative Council's decision to expel RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh for using defamatory words against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a heated debate last year.

The Court observed that Singh's conduct was "abhorrent" and "unbecoming", but it held the punishment of expulsion was "highly excessive" and "disproportionate." The expulsion violated not only Singh's rights but also the rights of the electorate represented by him, the court said.

The Supreme Court also quashed the notification issued by the Election Commission of India for holding bye-election to the seat held by Singh.

Singh's legal team cited his statements claiming he merely reiterated public opinions about the Bihar chief minister being a “Palturam”, rather than making a personal attack.

Singh Was Expelled Last Year

On July 26, last year, Singh was expelled from the Bihar Legislative Council for his unruly behaviour in the House.

Singh, considered close to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad and his family, was charged with sloganeering against CM Kumar on February 13, 2024, during a heated exchange in the House.

In 2024, the motion for Singh's expulsion was passed by voice vote, a day after the ethics committee submitted its report to acting chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh.

Singh was also charged with "insulting the chief minister by mimicking his body language" and questioning the competence of the members of the ethics committee after appearing before it.