BRS files contempt petition against Speaker; Assembly seeks more time for inquiry
Hyderabad, November 13, 2025 – The Supreme Court is scheduled to conduct a crucial hearing on Monday regarding the case of disqualified MLAs from the BRS party, with multiple petitions now before the court.
Multiple Petitions Filed
The case has seen several developments, with three key petitions now pending before the apex court:
BRS Contempt Petition: The BRS party has filed a contempt of court petition against the Telangana Assembly Speaker, alleging non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s earlier directive.
Speaker’s Time Extension Request: The Speaker’s office has filed a petition seeking more time to complete the inquiry into the MLAs’ defection cases.
Assembly Secretary’s Submission: The Assembly Secretary has filed a petition within the three-month deadline, stating that the inquiry is ongoing and requires additional time for completion.
Supreme Court’s July 31 Directive
On July 31, 2025, the Supreme Court issued clear directions to take action within three months on the cases of MLAs accused of party defections. The three-month deadline has now expired, leading to the current legal confrontation.
BRS’s Complaint
The BRS party alleges that 10 MLAs have changed parties, violating anti-defection laws. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao has approached the court, stating that although the Supreme Court ordered action against the MLAs within three months, the process has not been completed within the stipulated timeframe.
KTR has argued that the delay defeats the purpose of the Supreme Court’s time-bound directive and undermines the anti-defection law’s intent.
Speaker’s Defense
The Speaker’s office maintains that the inquiry has already begun and is being conducted in accordance with proper procedures. However, given the complexity of the cases and the need for thorough examination, additional time is required to complete the proceedings.
The Assembly Secretary’s petition emphasizes that the inquiry is actively ongoing and that the extension request was filed within the original three-month period, demonstrating compliance with procedural requirements.
Political Implications
The case has significant political ramifications as it involves allegations of 10 BRS MLAs defecting to the ruling Congress party. The outcome could affect the political balance in the Telangana Assembly and set important precedents for anti-defection proceedings across India.
The defection controversy has been a major political flashpoint in Telangana, with BRS accusing the Congress government of horse-trading and violating democratic principles, while the ruling party has defended the MLAs’ decisions as voluntary political choices.
Legal Stakes
At stake are fundamental questions about:
- Enforcement of the Supreme Court time-bound directives
- Speaker’s autonomy in conducting anti-defection proceedings
- Balance between thorough inquiry and timely justice
- Interpretation of anti-defection law provisions
Monday’s Hearing
The Supreme Court will hear all pending petitions together on Monday, including:
- BRS’s contempt petition against the Speaker
- Speaker’s petition seeking extension of time
- Assembly Secretary’s submission on ongoing inquiry status
Legal experts anticipate that the court may either grant additional time to the Speaker with strict timelines, issue directions for expedited proceedings, or potentially take suo motu action if it finds the delay unjustified.
What Happens Next
Depending on Monday’s hearing outcome:
- The Speaker may receive an extended deadline with specific milestones
- The court could issue contempt proceedings if the delay is deemed willful
- Interim orders may be passed to prevent further delays
- The court might set weekly monitoring mechanisms to track progress
The hearing is being closely watched by political parties across India, as it could establish important precedents for handling defection cases and enforcing Supreme Court directives in legislative proceedings.
