Disqualification of MLAs HC Adjourns Hearing to Monday
On Thursday, Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court heard arguments regarding the disqualification petitions of three MLAs. Supreme Court advocate Aryama Sundaram emphasized the need for constitutional tribunals to undergo judicial review, particularly concerning decisions made by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Sundaram argued that the Speaker or tribunal chairman should be subject to judicial scrutiny, referring to previous Supreme Court rulings. The petitions, filed by BRS MLAs KP Vivekanand, Padi Kaushik Reddy, and BJP's LP Maheshwar Reddy, seek the disqualification of MLAs Kadiyam Srihari, Tellam Venkata Rao, and Danam Nagender. Sundaram asserted that MLAs who switch parties and contest under a different party should face disqualification according to the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He criticized the Speaker’s inaction, despite clear rules under Rule 6 and Rule 7, and requested that a decision on these petitions be made within three months of filing. Justice Vijaysen Reddy adjourned the case until Monday.
Court Orders Report on Tree-Planting Initiatives
A division bench of the Telangana High Court, including Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, has directed the state government to provide a detailed report on tree-planting initiatives throughout Telangana. The court warned that if the report is not submitted by the next hearing on August 6, the commissioners of the HMDA and GHMC will be required to appear virtually. This directive follows a 2016 public interest litigation (PIL) filed by K. Pratap Reddy of Himayatsagar, Hyderabad. The petitioner requested government action to increase green cover and develop more parks for city residents. The bench reviewed the PIL on Thursday and adjourned the hearing, mandating that the state government present a comprehensive report in the upcoming session.