The Supreme Court, on Monday, underscored the importance of maintaining respect even in dissent, as it scheduled a final hearing for the plea of RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh, who was expelled from the Bihar Legislative Council for his conduct and remarks against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The hearing is set for January 9.
Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, while expressing preliminary disapproval of Singh’s remarks made during a session on February 13 last year, emphasized the need for decorum in legislative debates. “Legislators should be respectful even while dissenting,” the bench remarked, addressing the broader implications of freedom of speech within legislative houses.
The controversy centers around Singh’s actions and language during a heated debate, which the Council deemed sufficiently disrespectful to warrant expulsion. Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Singh, argued that his client’s expulsion was harsh, especially when compared to another legislator who was only suspended for similar behavior.
During the proceedings, Justice Kant questioned Singhvi, himself a Member of Parliament, about the appropriateness of such conduct in the legislature. Singhvi conceded that he does not support the use of disrespectful language but cautioned that setting a precedent for expulsion in such cases could lead to significantly empty opposition benches.
The matter was brought to a head after an ethics committee recommended Singh’s expulsion, which the Council executed by voice vote the day following the committee’s report. This report highlighted Singh’s alleged attempts to mimic and insult the Chief Minister, coupled with his defiance when called before the committee. In contrast, another RJD MLC, Mohd Qari Sohaib, who also participated in the disruptive behavior, was only suspended for two days after showing regret for his actions.
