Wed Jan 15 14:04:09 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Halts Bihar By-Election Result Over Expelled RJD MLA’s Case

**New Delhi, January 15** – The Supreme Court of India has issued a stay order preventing the Election Commission of India (ECI) from declaring the results of a Bihar Legislative Council by-election. The by-election was held for a seat vacated by Sunil Kumar Singh, an RJD MLA expelled from the council last year for unruly behavior.

The court’s intervention comes as it hears a plea challenging Singh’s expulsion. Singh, considered close to RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, was expelled following an incident in February 2024 where he engaged in a heated exchange with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the House, including using allegedly offensive language and mimicking the CM’s body language. While another RJD MLA received a short suspension for similar behavior, Singh’s expulsion was deemed permanent.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Singh, argued that the expulsion violated principles of natural justice, citing the lack of access to video recordings of the incident and an opportunity to respond to the allegations. He further contended that the punishment was disproportionate to the offense and that similar behavior from other legislators had not resulted in such severe consequences. He argued that the expulsion, if upheld, would set a dangerous precedent, stifling dissent within the legislative body.

The Supreme Court, hearing arguments on the matter, expressed concern that declaring the results before its final judgement would create a complex situation with potentially two candidates vying for a single seat. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 16th to hear responses from the state legislative council, the ethics committee, and other parties involved before reserving its judgment. Until then, the by-election results remain suspended.

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