Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Supreme Court intervenes in MLA defection cases
The Supreme Court of India is dealing with two important cases about politicians who switched parties.
In one case, the Court asked the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly to explain why he hasn't decided yet if seven MLAs who switched parties should be disqualified.
The Speaker wanted more time, but the Court said he has two weeks to explain.
In another case, the Court temporarily stopped a decision by a lower court that disqualified a politician named Mukul Roy for switching parties.
The Supreme Court said they need to check the evidence first.
Both cases are important because they affect the rules about politicians switching parties in India.
The Supreme Court asked the Telangana Assembly Speaker to file a status report on the adjudication of disqualification pleas against seven BRS MLAs within two weeks.
The Speaker sought eight weeks to conclude the proceedings, citing eye surgery as a reason for the delay.
The Supreme Court stayed a Calcutta High Court verdict that disqualified TMC leader Mukul Roy from the West Bengal Assembly for defecting from the BJP.
The Court directed Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MLA Ambika Roy to respond to the matter within four weeks.
The cases involve the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on the grounds of defection.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Telangana Assembly Speaker, BRS MLAs, Mukul Roy, Trinamool Congress, BJP
- What
- Hearing on the defection of MLAs in Telangana and West Bengal
- When
- January 16, 2026 (Telangana), November 2025 (West Bengal)
- Where
- Delhi (Supreme Court), Kolkata (Calcutta High Court), Telangana Assembly
- Why
- To review the Speaker's progress on adjudication of disqualification pleas and to stay a High Court ruling on MLA defection
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Location
- Delhi
- Judges
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- MLAs Involved
- Mukul Roy (TMC), Seven BRS MLAs (Telangana)
- Speaker's Request
- Eight weeks time for conclusion of proceedings (Telangana)
- Court's Directive
- Two weeks time to file a status report (Telangana), Four weeks to respond (West Bengal)
- Contempt Notice
- Issued on November 17, 2025 (Telangana)
- Initial Court Directive
- July 31, 2024 (Telangana)
- Defection Date
- June 2021 (Mukul Roy)
- High Court Verdict
- November 2025 (Disqualification of Mukul Roy)
Sources
Supreme Court to hear Telangana MLAs defection case today
Disqualification of BRS MLAs: SC seeks status report from Telangana speaker in two weeks
SC stays Calcutta HC verdict disqualifying Mukul Roy as MLA of Bengal Assembly for defecting from BJP to TMC
Disqualification of BRS MLAs: SC Seeks Status Report From Telangana Speaker in 2 Weeks
Supreme Court hears Telangana MLA disqualification case, adjourns for two weeks
Supreme Court Stays Calcutta High Court Verdict Disqualifying Mukul Roy As MLA
Telangana Speaker To File Report On BRS MLAs' Disqualification Plea In 2 Weeks
SC stays Calcutta High Court order disqualifying Mukul Roy for defecting to TMC
SC gives Telangana speaker two weeks to decide on disqualification of MLAs who defected to Congress
Supreme Court stays Calcutta HC ruling disqualifying TMC’s Mukul Roy as MLA for defecting from BJP
SC puts on hold Calcutta HC judgment disqualifying Mukul Roy as MLA over alleged defection to TMC
SC puts on hold Calcutta HC disqualifying Mukul Roy over alleged defection to TMC
SC Gives Speaker Two Weeks to Decide on BRS MLAs’ Disqualification
SC seeks status report from Speaker in 2 wks
