The Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed the expulsion of RJD leader Sunil Kumar Singh from the Bihar Legislative Council, deeming the action overly harsh for his alleged unruly behavior. The apex court highlighted the need for legislative bodies to uphold constitutional values and exercise greater tolerance and restraint.
Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized that while Singh’s behavior was condemnable and unbecoming of a legislator, the punitive measures taken were disproportionately severe. The court noted that Singh’s actions, although egregious, did not justify the extreme step of expulsion which disregards the democratic rights of the constituents who elected him.
The bench criticized the Bihar Legislative Council’s decision and suggested that the council should demonstrate institutional maturity and magnanimity rather than resorting to severe disciplinary actions. “The house, as a custodian of constitutional values and democratic principles, ought to exemplify the virtues of tolerance, restraint, and institutional maturity,” Justice Surya Kant wrote in the 50-page verdict.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court also annulled the Election Commission’s notification for a by-election for Singh’s seat, scheduled following his expulsion. The court ordered that Singh be reinstated immediately with all the benefits and privileges due to a member completing their full tenure, though it specified that he would not receive any remuneration for the period of his suspension.
The verdict reinstates Singh’s position as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council and mandates that any future misconduct should be addressed legally by the ethics committee or the council chairperson, adhering to proper legal frameworks.
