Supreme Court Stays Calcutta High Court Order Disqualifying Mukul Roy as MLA

The Supreme Court stayed the Calcutta High Court’s judgment disqualifying Mukul Roy from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly under the anti-defection law.

The interim order was passed on a petition filed by Roy’s son, Subhranshu Roy, challenging the High Court decision. Mukul Roy, elected on a BJP ticket from Krishnanagar North in 2021, was alleged to have defected to the Trinamool Congress.

The Speaker had earlier rejected disqualification, citing improper authentication of social media evidence under Section 65B of the Evidence Act.

The Supreme Court expressed concern over the High Court’s relaxation of electronic evidence rules and emphasized the need for authenticity, noting the Assembly’s tenure ending soon.

[Subhranshu Roy v. Hon’ble Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly]