Maharashtra political crisis: SC gives rebel Shiv Sena MLAs time till July 12 to reply to disqualification notices

New Delhi: The Supreme court on Monday kept in abeyance the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs' disqualification proceedings till July 11.

The Supreme Court asked the respondents to file a reply to the rebel MLAs' petitions, which challenged the Deputy Speaker's competence to issue disqualification notices when their communication seeking his removal was pending.

The court said the time given by the Deputy Speaker to the rebel MLAs to respond to the disqualification notices, which was to end at 5.30 pm on Monday, will stand extended till 5.30 pm on July 11.

The Supreme Court also recorded a statement from the Maharashtra counsel that no harm will come to the life and properties of the 39 rebel MLAs and their families.

A two-judge vacation bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and also comprising Justice J B Pardiwala, passed the interim order after hearing rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and others.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, told the Supreme Court that Article 212 of the Constitution bars the court's scrutiny when the Speaker is deciding an issue. All internal management is barred from judicial scrutiny, he said.

Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for rebel MLAs, argued that the Deputy Speaker has no authority to deal with the issue till the question of his removal is decided.

The rebel Shiv Sena MLAs also challenged the appointment of Ajay Chaudhary as the Shiv Sena's legislative leader in the House. (UNI)