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How many times did Parliament discuss conduct of Speaker, SC asks Uddhav faction

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 The Supreme Court on Tuesday shot a volley of questions at the Uddhav Thackeray faction, asking how many times did the Parliament discuss a review of the conduct of the Speaker, why is that question raised before the court, and also, why should the court change rules just because one or two Speakers went astray.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Uddhav Thackeray faction, submitted before a five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, that “your lordships have great confidence in the constitutional office of the Speaker but do they discharge this confidence?”

At this, the Chief Justice replied: “You also have that confidence when you say that the Speaker has to decide the disqualification petitions… that is not dependent on who is the Speaker, Mr Sibal”. He added that the constitutional authority of the Speaker to decide is not based on who the Speaker is.

Sibal said the a Speaker who appoints the whip and Leader of the Opposition without reference to the political party, “you think he can decide in my favour, there is no way!”

The Chief Justice said: “The first Speaker in defiance of legislative rules gave two days’ notice… this is the way everybody is behaving. There are two options: either you debunk the authority of the Speaker or.. in a democracy you value the office of the institution… denigrating constitutional offices including the office of the Speaker.”

When Sibal said they are denigrating themselves, the bench — also comprising Justices M.R. Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P.S. Narasimha — said: “It is a race to the bottom then.”

Justice Narasimha told Sibal: “Legislators, parliamentarians…. decided upon the Speaker to be the tribunal.. it is parliamentarians’ decision, the Tenth Schedule. Therefore, the court is only interpreting that…”

Sibal referred to the decision of the apex court on 27 June last year, where the court granted interim relief to Shinde faction by extending the time to file responses to the disqualification notices. It later, on June 29, gave the go-ahead to a floor test called by the Governor.

Justice Narasimha orally observed: “On one hand if the Speaker is with you, you would say it is a constitutional authority. What is wrong with it… if you have some difficulty, you mean, not you. Look at the way Speakers have behaved. For us, as long as the constitution bench judgment is there, we will go by the fact that the Speaker is the tribunal.”

The bench further added that the Speaker is the presiding officer as per Tenth Schedule and “we will not go back on the decision, that is the final decision, as far as we are concerned”.

Sibal replied by that logic, the June 27 order could not have been passed, and that is what led to what way we are today.

Justice Kohli said that if one or two Speakers have gone astray, would the court be inclined to debunk the whole procedure as laid down and the Tenth Schedule?

To this, Sibal said: My intention is not that, I have been telling what is happening.” Justice Kohli said then it is a conundrum. Sibal said: “Yes, it is a conundrum, a constitutional conundrum and somebody has to sort it out.”

At this juncture, justice Narasimha said: “Another question, every time this question is raised before the court. I would want to ask you how many times did the parliamentarians raise this question in the Parliament saying let us actually amend the Constitution.”

“How many times did the discussion take place in the Parliament to review the conduct of the Speaker. Why is that question raised before the court, which is not a forum for consideration. how many times parties have sat down together and decided this is not working?” he asked.

“Once Kihoto Hollohan was rendered then,” Sibal said referring to the apex court verdict in the 1992 case, upholding the sweeping discretion available to the Speaker in deciding cases of disqualification of MLAs.

Justice Narasimha replied: “Why, it only upheld the Tenth Schedule. It is your making, the Tenth Schedule. This will take us nowhere, Mr Sibal. Frankly, unless there is an amendment to the Constitution, there is a reference, a direct challenge…”

The top court made these observations while dealing with Maharashtra political crisis triggered due to rebellion in the Shiv Sena. It will continue to hear the matter on Wednesday.

On February 17, the apex court had declined to make immediate reference to a seven-judge bench the reconsideration of its 2016 Nabam Rebia judgment, which restricted the power of the Speaker to examine disqualification petitions against MLAs if a resolution for his removal is pending.

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India said the issue of reference will be decided only with the merits of the case and fixed the matter for hearing on merits on February 21.

Maharashtra

A gangster named Baba killed in Kurla VB Nagar, Mumbai, three attackers arrested, tension in the area but situation peaceful.

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Mumbai: Tension prevailed after a firing incident at Hilaupal in Kurla VB Nagar area of ​​Mumbai around 10 pm last night. The police have claimed to have arrested the three shooters involved in the shooting case of a gangster Baba Lipa Pawar. Baba Lipa Pawar had come here to attend a birthday party. During this time, the shooters opened fire on him. This firing is a result of personal enmity because a gangster named Bala was killed here. Baba was also involved in this murder. On this basis, his gang targeted Bala and planned to carry out the shooting incident on him. Along with the firing, Baba also stabbed Baba several times. He died after succumbing to his injuries. The police have registered a murder case in this matter and the three accused and shooters Abhijeet Jadhav, Shubham Ghadke, Dinesh Pawar have been arrested. All three of them killed Baba due to personal enmity. DCP Mahendra Pandit has confirmed this. He said that the accused have been charged with murder. The accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway. The body of the deceased has been handed over to his family after the postmortem. The police have made strict security arrangements in the area after the firing incident. Along with this, evidence has also been collected from the spot during the investigation against the accused. In addition, a forensic team had also inspected the spot. Due to the strategy of DCP Mahendra Pandit, law and order has been maintained in the area, while the police immediately took the accused into custody at night. The police are investigating the matter further. According to the police, the gangster named Baba, who was shot at, was involved in the murder of a bully and was currently on bail, so the rival gang targeted him. The police have increased surveillance in this matter so that the public does not become a victim of gang war. There is tension after this incident, but the situation is peaceful. The police have claimed to have made strict arrangements in view of the last rites so that there is no major incident.

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Maharashtra

BMC Announces Water Cut In Mumbai’s Eastern Suburbs On May 5-6, Ghatkopar, Chembur & Mankhurd Among Areas Affected; Check Details

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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a planned water cut across several parts of eastern Mumbai, including Chembur and Ghatkopar, on May 5 and 6 due to essential maintenance work.

water supply will be completely suspended in parts of F-North and F-South wards (City Zone), as well as L, M-East, M-West, and N wards in the eastern suburbs on May 5. On May 6, supply will resume but at low pressure in several areas, while some pockets will continue to face disruptions.

In F-North ward, areas such as Pratiksha Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sanjay Gandhi Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Wadala Truck Terminus, New Cuffe Parade, Mahul, Mysore Colony and Vashi Naka will see water supply suspended.

F-South ward will also be affected, with key areas including Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg, Dadasaheb Phalke Marg, Jerbai Wadia Marg, Sane Guruji Marg and several adjoining lanes facing disruption.

In L ward, localities like Hill Marg, Tadi Peth, Muktadevi Marg, Panchsheel Nagar and nearby areas will face supply issues. Meanwhile, large parts of M-East ward, including Shivaji Nagar, Lotus Colony, Deonar, Mankhurd, Cheetah Camp, Govandi and surrounding areas, will witness a complete shutdown of water supply on May 5.

On May 6, fresh disruptions will impact areas such as Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Tilak Nagar, Kurla East, Nehru Nagar, Chunabhatti, and adjoining localities in L ward. Parts of M-East ward will continue to face low-pressure or no supply.

Meanwhile, certain areas will be affected on both days. These include refinery zones along B.D. Patil Marg (HPCL and BPCL) and several parts of N ward. In Ghatkopar, areas like Pant Nagar, Garodia Nagar, Ramabai Nagar, and sections of both East and West divisions, including stretches near LBS Marg and Chirag Nagar, will experience prolonged disruption.

Vidyavihar East’s Chittaranjan Nagar and Rajawadi will also face supply cuts on May 6. Key establishments, including hospitals and residential complexes in these zones, are expected to be impacted.

The BMC has urged residents to store sufficient water in advance and use it sparingly during the disruption. Officials confirmed that the temporary inconvenience is necessary to carry out infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving long-term water supply across Mumbai.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Proposes 325 ‘Vihardhams’ For Jain Monks, Expands Welfare

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Mumbai: Maharashtra has proposed the construction of 325 shelters (Vihardhams) across the state for Jain monks who travel on foot (Payi Vihar).

The proposal was announced during a meeting between the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Minority Affairs, Sunetra Ajit Pawar, and officials of the Jain Minority Development Economic Corporation (JMDEC) on Wednesday in Mumbai. The meeting focused on streamlining the Corporation’s operations and on the social, educational, and economic empowerment of the Jain community.

To enhance the Corporation’s efficiency, the government has committed to providing advanced technical tools and infrastructure, increasing manpower to manage community-specific schemes, and offering long-term financial support for sustainable growth.

During the session, Lalit Gandhi, Chairman of JMDEC, presented a series of developmental proposals, including a plan to introduce classical language training (Marathi and Prakrit) across approximately 4,000 pathshalas (traditional schools) in the state. Another proposal aimed at promoting higher education among women includes the construction of fully equipped and secure hostels in Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Navi Mumbai.

In a statement, Pawar said she had directed officials to immediately examine these proposals to ensure swift implementation. “The government is fully committed to the development of the Jain community. We will take concrete, time-bound steps to ensure that the benefits of our schemes reach every segment of the community effectively,” she stated

Secretary of the Minority Development Department, Yogesh Mhase, and Corporation Vice-Chairman Mitesh Nahata, along with senior bureaucrats from the Planning, Industry, and Skill Development departments, were among the key officials present to oversee the strategic rollout of these initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a firm resolve to balance economic empowerment with the preservation of religious and cultural traditions. Gandhi expressed confidence that, through these initiatives, the Corporation will set a benchmark for minority welfare in Maharashtra.

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