The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday, invalidated the expulsion of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Sunil Kumar Singh from the Bihar Legislative Council, deeming the punitive measure “highly excessive and disproportionate.”
A judicial bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh conceded that while Singh’s conduct within the legislative chamber was “abhorrent and unbecoming” of an elected representative, the legislative council ought to have exercised greater institutional magnanimity in its disciplinary response.
The apex court further rescinded the Election Commission’s December notification, which had declared a by-election for Singh’s erstwhile seat.
Instead, the bench adjudicated that the period of suspension already endured by Singh should constitute an adequate punitive measure. Moreover, the court stipulated that Singh shall forfeit any claim to remuneration for the duration of his suspension.
The controversy originated on July 26, 2023, when Singh was expelled from the Bihar Legislative Council on account of his disruptive conduct. Recognized for his political proximity to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his family, Singh was accused of vociferously sloganeering against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on February 13, 2024, amidst a contentious legislative session.
His removal was executed through a voice vote, occurring a day subsequent to the submission of an ethics committee report to Acting Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh. Among the allegations levied against Singh were “insulting the chief minister by mimicking his body language” and casting aspersions on the competence of the ethics committee members during his formal appearance before the panel.
With the court’s verdict, Singh’s expulsion has been formally revoked, thereby reinstating his legislative membership, albeit without financial recompense for the period of suspension he had previously endured.
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