The Supreme Court of India on October 9, 2026, dismissed a public interest/writ petition questioning the decision of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker to drop disqualification petitions against rebel AIADMK MLAs.

Non-Interference in Speaker's Decision under Tenth Schedule

A Bench of the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Speaker's prerogative, reiterating the limited scope of judicial review under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution prior to a final decision being rendered by the Speaker.

Key Observations and Legal Principles

  • Institutional Comity: The Court underscored that under the constitutional scheme of anti-defection laws, courts must exercise restraint and refrain from prematurely interrupting or second-guessing proceedings pending before the Speaker acting as a tribunal.
  • Speaker's Discretion: The Bench noted that unless there is a manifest and gross violation of constitutional mandates or principles of natural justice, judicial intervention in internal legislative matters should be avoided.

The petition challenging the dropping of disqualification proceedings was accordingly dismissed.