Fri Jan 16 10:02:11 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Supreme Court Stays Disqualification of Mukul Roy, Cites AI Concerns and Evidence Standards

The Story:

The Supreme Court on January 16, 2026, stayed a Calcutta High Court order that had disqualified politician Mukul Roy from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The disqualification stemmed from allegations of defection to the Trinamool Congress, based on a video purportedly showing Roy with leaders of the ruling party. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed skepticism, noting the potential for AI manipulation of video evidence and questioning the High Court’s reliance on the “preponderance of probability” standard in a defection case.

The Supreme Court’s intervention followed a petition filed by Subhranshu Roy on behalf of his father, Mukul Roy. The petition argued that the stringent requirements for authenticating electronic evidence under Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act were not met. The court has issued notice to the respondents, including West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, and scheduled a hearing after six weeks.

Key Points:

  • The Supreme Court stayed the Calcutta High Court’s order disqualifying Mukul Roy.
  • The disqualification was based on alleged defection to the Trinamool Congress.
  • Chief Justice Surya Kant raised concerns about the use of AI in creating misleading videos.
  • The Court questioned the use of the “preponderance of probability” standard in a defection case.
  • The petition argued that Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act was not complied with.
  • The Speaker previously rejected the disqualification petition due to lack of original evidence and failure to comply with Section 65B.
  • The Supreme Court issued notice to respondents, including Suvendu Adhikari, with a hearing scheduled in six weeks.

Critical Analysis:

This case highlights the growing challenges that AI technology presents to the judicial system. The Supreme Court’s skepticism towards video evidence, in light of potential AI manipulation, reflects a broader concern about the reliability of digital evidence. It also suggests a stricter approach to evidence presented in defection cases, requiring more than just the ‘preponderance of probability’.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court is increasingly aware of the potential for AI to impact legal proceedings.
  • Defection cases may require a higher standard of proof, similar to that of a criminal trial.
  • Compliance with Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act is crucial for the admissibility of electronic evidence.
  • The credibility of video evidence is now under greater scrutiny due to advancements in AI technology.
  • The Supreme Court’s intervention suggests a need for a more rigorous approach to evaluating evidence in political defection cases.

Impact Analysis:

This case could set a precedent for how electronic evidence is evaluated in legal proceedings, especially concerning political matters and defection cases. It emphasizes the necessity of stringent authentication processes for digital evidence. The decision also raises the bar for disqualification petitions, requiring more concrete and irrefutable proof of defection. In the long run, this may influence political maneuvering and the legal challenges associated with party switching.

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