Pleas Challenging Speaker's Decision To Suspend Suvendu Adhikari & 4 BJP MLAs From WB Assembly Not Hurdle To Parties Resolving Issues: High Court

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday observed that the pendency of the petition challenging the Speaker's decision to suspend Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and four other BJP MLAs from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly would not stand in the way of the parties in resolving the issue. 

Five BJP MLAs, including Suvendu Adhikari, were suspended by the West Bengal Assembly Speaker on March 28 for their alleged unruly conduct in the House. Adhikari, along with BJP legislators Dipak Burman, Shankar Ghosh, Manoj Tigga and Narahari Mahato, were suspended by the Speaker for future sessions this year.

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha had earlier sought response from Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay in the plea filed by the saffron party legislators challenging his decision. Senior counsel Jaydip Kar appearing for the BJP legislators submitted that apart from the legality of the impugned order which is contrary to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, the same is excessive and disproportionate to the alleged misconduct.

On Thursday, pursuant to the submissions of Advocate General S.N Mookherjee the Court adjourned the hearing to June 14 for further consideration. The monsoon session of the West Bengal Assembly is scheduled to commence on Friday.

However, the Court underscored that the pendency of the plea would not stand in the way of the parties resolving the issue and accordingly observed,  

"Pendency of the writ petition and hearing of the matter shall not stand in the way of the parties in resolving the issues in accordance with rules."

Case Title: Suvendu Adhikari and Ors v. Hon'ble Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly 

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