Calcutta High Court To Hear Plea Challenging Appointment of TMC MLA Mukul Roy As PAC Chairman On August 24

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday took on record the counter-affidavit filed by the State of West Bengal in compliance with the Court's earlier directions. During the hearing Advocate General Kishore Datta brought to the notice of the Court that the State had not yet been served with a copy of the plea filed by BJP MLA Ambika Ray challenging the appointment of TMC MLA Mukul Roy as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). On July 9, Mukul Roy had been appointed as the Chairman of PAC by the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the year 2021-2022. The plea filed before the Court had contended that on June 11, the without officially resigning from the BJP or as the MLA of Krishnanagar Uttar constituency, Mukul Roy had defected to the TMC party on June 11, 2021. 

In response, senior counsel P.V Narasimha apprised the Court that a copy of the petition had been sent to the State by electronic mail. 

Taking note of the submissions, a Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj directed the petitioner to submit a hard copy of the petition filed to the State. 

Furthermore, senior counsel P.V Narasimha sought two days time to file a reply in regards to the counter-affidavit filed. He also mentioned that no facts are in dispute in the instant case and that only legal issues are in contention. He further submitted before the Court that it is essential for the parties concerned to ensure that there are no delay in proceedings. 

Accordingly, the matter was adjourned till August 24. The Court directed the petitioner to file a reply to the counter affidavit filed before the next date of hearing. 

Case Title: Ambika Roy v. The Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Ors