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Synopsis

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed urgent listing of a fresh plea filed by 14 MLAs supporting former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly against them.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Krishna, and Justice Hima Kohli has listed the matter for July 20, 2022, after the same was mentioned by Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had orally asked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker to not decide matters pertaining to the disqualification of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Members till the petitions filed by the delinquent MLAs of Shiv Sena challenging the disqualification proceedings are pending before the Apex Court.

Additionally, the apex court will hear the four matters in which Sunil Prabhu is a party. Two out of the four matters pertain to the petitions filed by delinquent MLAs of Shiv Sena challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the Dy. Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly on disqualification petitions filed by Prabhu.

Moreover, earlier, the apex court on June 27, 2022, extended the time granted by Deputy Speaker to Eknath Shinde and other MLAs to file their response to their disqualification petition. The speaker had asked them to respond to the same by 5.30 PM, June 27.

The Court had also recorded the statement of the counsel for Maharashtra that steps have been taken to maintain law and order and to protect the life and property of all 39 MLAs and their family members.

On June 19, the top court refused to stay the floor test in Maharashtra that was scheduled to be held on June 30, 2022. The Court was hearing a plea filed by Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu challenging Governor's communication to the Assembly to conduct a floor test.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice JB Pardiwala, however, had issued notice in the matter and asked the parties to complete the pleadings in the matter. The bench had also clarified that the outcome of the floor test is subject to the outcome of the plea.

Case title: Sunil Prabhu Vs Principal Secretary, Governor of Maharashtra