Sena disqualification row: SC says Maharashtra speaker cannot defeat orders of apex court

Representative Pic/iStock

The Supreme Court on Friday came down hard on the Maharashtra assembly speaker for the delay in deciding the plea for disqualification of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and several MLAs, saying the speaker "cannot defeat the orders" of the top court.

"Somebody has to advise the Speaker that he cannot defeat the orders of the Supreme Court," a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to apprise the court about the timeline for deciding the issue.

A visibly irked CJI said decision on disqualification pleas has to be taken before next assembly elections or the whole process will become infructuous. The bench said if it is not satisfied with the timeline of the Speaker then it would direct that the decision be taken within two months.

"The writ of this court has to run when there is a decision contrary to the Constitution of India," the bench said, indicating that it may hear the plea on Monday or Tuesday.

On September 18, the top court had directed the Maharashtra assembly speaker to spell out the timeline for adjudication of the disqualification petitions against Shinde and other MLAs.

Sharad Pawar slams Maharashtra govt over 'security' of women, contractual hiring

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday targeted the Maharashtra government over the "security" of women and "contractual hiring" in the state.

Also read: Hope SC will soon pronounce verdict on money bill issue: Congress

Addressing a press conference, Pawar claimed that there were 19,553 women reported "missing" from the state between January 1 and May 31 this year.

He also slammed the government over the "contractual hiring" of personnel in Mumbai police. He said the state has taken the decision to conduct government recruitments on contract.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra government issued an order to hire 3,000 personnel from its own security corporation who will work under the Mumbai police.

These personnel drawn from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC), a government undertaking, will work under contract and assist the Mumbai police in select duties for a specific period of time. (PTI)