Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has announced the time line for the hearing regarding the ineligibility of 16 MLAs including CM Eknath Shinde. According to this, its hearing will start on October 6 and the final hearing will be on November 28. However, it has been said that up to two weeks time will be given for the decision. The Supreme Court had strongly reprimanded the Assembly Speaker for the delay in taking a decision on the ineligibility of the MLAs.
The Supreme Court had directed Speaker Narvekar to announce the complete program of this hearing within a week. On the same instructions, the Speaker of the Assembly has now announced this program. Information about this time line will also be given in the hearing to be held in the Supreme Court on October 3.
October 6, 2023
Shinde group’s lawyers will file their reply on the additional affidavit filed by the Uddhav faction on 23 September.
October 13, 2023
Both the parties will present their arguments on the petition filed on September 23, 2023 on the demand of Uddhav Thackeray faction for simultaneous hearing of the petitions. However, Shinde faction has opposed the hearing of all the petitions together.
From October 13 to October 20, 2023
Both sides advocates will get an opportunity to inspect government documents, orders filed in the Assembly Secretariat regarding eligibility hearing, and obtain government documents.
October 20, 2023
Speaker will take his decision on the Thackeray faction’s demand for simultaneous hearing of all the disqualification petitions after hearing the arguments of both the factions.
October 27, 2023
In the hearing to be held on this date, Shinde and Thackeray factions will present their arguments in favor of accepting their respective documents.
November 6, 2023
On this day, both the groups will present their written arguments and exchange their copies with each other to take a decision regarding ineligibility.
November 10, 2023
Both the groups will present their arguments before the Speaker of the Assembly to take a decision on ineligibility.
November 20, 2023
Both groups will file the list and affidavit of their witnesses.
November 23, 2023
Dates for starting cross-examination will be given as per the requirement and convenience of the lawyers of both the parties.