2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Upholds Danam Nagender’s Disqualification From Telangana Assembly
Danam Nagender was an elected member of Telangana’s Legislative Assembly.
He had won the Khairatabad seat as a BRS candidate.
He later left the BRS and joined Congress.
The Telangana High Court said this broke anti-defection rules.
Because of that, the court removed him from the Assembly.
Nagender asked the Supreme Court to reverse that decision.
The Supreme Court rejected his appeal and agreed with the High Court.
The Khairatabad seat can now have a new election.
The Supreme Court dismissed Danam Nagender’s appeal against his disqualification as an MLA.
The Telangana High Court ruled that Nagender violated anti-defection provisions after leaving the BRS for Congress.
The Supreme Court bench found no reason to interfere with the High Court’s judgment.
Nagender won Khairatabad in 2023 as a BRS candidate and later joined Congress.
The Khairatabad seat was declared vacant, clearing the way for a by-election.
- Who
- Danam Nagender, the Supreme Court, and the Telangana High Court were involved.
- What
- The Supreme Court dismissed Nagender’s appeal and upheld his disqualification as an MLA.
- Where
- The case concerned the Khairatabad Assembly constituency in Telangana and was decided by the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- When
- The Supreme Court ruling was reported on Thursday; the articles say the High Court disqualified him in September 2026.
- Why
- The High Court found that Nagender violated the Tenth Schedule’s anti-defection provisions by leaving the BRS for Congress.
Danam Nagender’s Arguments
Courts’ Position
Scope of judicial review
Danam Nagender’s Arguments
Nagender’s counsel questioned the extent of judicial review over the Speaker’s decision under the anti-defection law.
Courts’ Position
The Supreme Court found that the High Court correctly interpreted the law and that no interference was warranted.
Application of anti-defection rules
Danam Nagender’s Arguments
Nagender argued that the Tenth Schedule should be applied with greater rigour and that review should remain within the limits set by the Kihoto Hollohan case.
Courts’ Position
The Telangana High Court held that leaving the BRS for Congress violated the Tenth Schedule, and the Supreme Court upheld that conclusion.
Future of the Khairatabad seat
Danam Nagender’s Arguments
Nagender sought to overturn the disqualification and retain the Assembly seat.
Courts’ Position
The courts’ decisions leave the seat vacant and allow a fresh election, with the Supreme Court bench suggesting that Nagender contest the by-election.
Key facts
- MLA
- Danam Nagender, representing Khairatabad
- Original party
- Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)
- New party
- Indian National Congress
- High Court ruling
- Nagender was disqualified under anti-defection rules
- Supreme Court outcome
- Appeal dismissed; no interference with the High Court judgment
- Seat status
- Khairatabad Assembly seat declared vacant
- Next election
- A by-election can now be held
Sources
Related news
Telangana High Court Disqualifies MLA Danam Nagender After Defection
Telangana High Court Disqualifies BRS MLA Danam Nagender
Telangana High Court Disqualifies BRS MLA After Congress Defection
Telangana High Court Defers Danam Nagender Disqualification Verdict Again
Danam Nagender Welcomes Disqualification, Prepares for Khairatabad Bypoll
Dismissed Punjab Police Officer Arrested in Patiala Drug Nexus Case
Collegium Recommends 12 Additional Judges as Permanent High Court Judges
Supreme Court Refers Election Commission Appointment Law to Larger Bench
Gyanesh Kumar Faces Election Panel Scrutiny Over Voter Roll Decisions
