SUVENDU ADHIKARI Vs. WEST BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Two writ petitions have been taken up for analogous hearing as they relate to the similar issues and the order dated June 8, 2022 passed by the Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

(2.) A Member of the Legislative Assembly has filed WPA(P) 213 of 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the first writ petition for the sake of convenience) while the leader of the opposition of the State's Legislative Assembly has filed WPA 6193 of 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the second writ petition, again for the sake of convenience). It has been acknowledged at the Bar that, both the writ petitions involve similar issues and relate to the decision taken by the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly regarding the plea of disqualification of the respondent No. 2.

(3.) Learned Senior Advocate appearing for the second writ petitioner has submitted that, respondent No. 2 was elected as a Member of the State Legislative Assembly from Krishnanagar Uttar Constituency on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. Respondent No. 2 had defected to the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on June 11, 2021 by announcing the same at a press conference held on the headquarters of AITC, namely Trinamool Bhawan and that, the same was broadcast on the official handle of AITC on the social media platform.