NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the Rajasthan high court can pass an order on rebel Congress MLAs plea against the disqualification notice served to them by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi.
A three-judge bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Krishna Murari was hearing a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the Speaker against the Rajasthan High Court’s interim order on a plea of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and 18 MLA of his camp.
The apex court said that voice of dissent in a democracy cannot be shut down, however, added that the HC order will not be implemented as it is seized of the question raised by Speaker on the HC jurisdiction to entertain plea against Speaker’s notice to rebel Congress MLAs.
The top court observed that the issue is tricky and needs prolonged hearing. “Let this matter be heard at length,” the SC told Speaker’s counsel Kapil Sibal.
“It is an important question relating to the future of democracy — whether dissenting views could be silenced through disqualification proceedings initiated by Spea