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Supreme Court Notice to 20 Rebel TMC MPs; Justice Bagchi Makes Key Observation – Timely Decision Needed on Disqualification Matter
New Delhi – The Supreme Court has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs. A petition regarding the disqualification of these MPs—who left the party to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI)—was filed by TMC National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee.
On Tuesday, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Mohana heard the matter. The Court clarified that disqualification proceedings against the MPs must be completed within a stipulated timeframe. Justice Bagchi made a significant observation, stating, "The formality of issuing a notice is not the real issue; completing the proceedings is."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He requested the Court not to issue a notice to the Speaker, noting that the Speaker had already sought a response from the rebel MPs. Consequently, the Court declined to issue a formal notice to the Speaker.
The rebel TMC MPs have sought recognition as an independent group. However, the party maintains that these MPs were elected on the party symbol and that joining another party constitutes a violation of the anti-defection law. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a leader of the rebel faction, had submitted a letter to the Speaker on June 17, 2026, announcing their decision to work with the NDA.
Reacting to the development, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "This is just the beginning. Action against the MPs has commenced; now, it will be the turn of the rebel MLAs."
New Delhi – The Supreme Court has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs. A petition regarding the disqualification of these MPs—who left the party to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI)—was filed by TMC National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee.
On Tuesday, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Mohana heard the matter. The Court clarified that disqualification proceedings against the MPs must be completed within a stipulated timeframe. Justice Bagchi made a significant observation, stating, "The formality of issuing a notice is not the real issue; completing the proceedings is."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He requested the Court not to issue a notice to the Speaker, noting that the Speaker had already sought a response from the rebel MPs. Consequently, the Court declined to issue a formal notice to the Speaker.
The rebel TMC MPs have sought recognition as an independent group. However, the party maintains that these MPs were elected on the party symbol and that joining another party constitutes a violation of the anti-defection law. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a leader of the rebel faction, had submitted a letter to the Speaker on June 17, 2026, announcing their decision to work with the NDA.
Reacting to the development, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "This is just the beginning. Action against the MPs has commenced; now, it will be the turn of the rebel MLAs."
On Tuesday, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Mohana heard the matter. The Court clarified that disqualification proceedings against the MPs must be completed within a stipulated timeframe. Justice Bagchi made a significant observation, stating, "The formality of issuing a notice is not the real issue; completing the proceedings is."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He requested the Court not to issue a notice to the Speaker, noting that the Speaker had already sought a response from the rebel MPs. Consequently, the Court declined to issue a formal notice to the Speaker.
The rebel TMC MPs have sought recognition as an independent group. However, the party maintains that these MPs were elected on the party symbol and that joining another party constitutes a violation of the anti-defection law. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a leader of the rebel faction, had submitted a letter to the Speaker on June 17, 2026, announcing their decision to work with the NDA.
Reacting to the development, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "This is just the beginning. Action against the MPs has commenced; now, it will be the turn of the rebel MLAs."
