SC To Hear Uddhav Camp MLA Sunil Prabhu's Plea Seeking Suspension Of Eknath Shinde, 15 Other MLAs From Assembly

Maharashtra MLAs Disqualification: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter in the apex court seeking an urgent hearing of the plea. The SC bench listed the matter for hearing on July 11.

Maharashtra MLAs Disqualification: The Supreme Court will hear on July 11, along with other petitions, a fresh plea of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray camp MLA Sunil Prabhu seeking suspension of dissident party MLAs from the Maharashtra Assembly House. The plea also asks for the MLA to be restrained from entering the House or taking part in proceedings till their disqualification is decided. As per news agency ANI, Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu moved Supreme Court seeking suspension from House, of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde & 15 other MLAs against whom disqualification petitions are filed.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter in the apex court seeking an urgent hearing of the plea.

The SC bench did not issue a restraint order but stated that it is conscious of what is happening. "Whatever is happening is happening, but we will examine this issue on July 11," the top court said, as quoted by a Hindustan Times report.

"We are conscious of what is happening. Let us see what the procedure is and how it is applied," Justice Surya Kant said.

Previously, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the direction of the Maharashtra Governor to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to take a floor test in the Assembly on Thursday to prove its majority after which the beleaguered chief minister Uddhav Thackeray quit office, paving way for Eknath Shinde to take over the top post.

Observing that the floor of the House is the only way to settle such "issues of democracy", a vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala was vehemently asked by the Shiv Sena to defer the floor test on various grounds.

As per PTI, the top court on Wednesday issued notice to the Secretary of Legislative Assembly and others on plea against the governor's direction and said it will hear on merits along with other cases on July 11. It also clarified that Thursday's proceeding shall be subject to the final outcome of the instant writ petition.

"How can floor test impact disqualification process or interfere with powers of Speaker to conduct disqualification proceeding...Our understanding is that floor of the house is the only way to settle these issues of democracy," SC noted, as quoted by PTI.

Backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Thursday took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra with the support of a breakaway faction of Shiv Sena MLAs and Independents.

Shinde was camping in a Guwahati hotel along with rebel MLAs for more than a week after rebelling against Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena leadership. The BJP has claimed it has the support of 170 MLAs, including those from the Shinde faction, in a House of 288.

(With Agency Inputs)