- Supreme Court reprimands Uddhav Thackeray faction over media comments
- CJI warns against attempts to pressure judiciary through public remarks
- Shiv Sena split case linked to 2022 Maharashtra political crisis
- Matter to be heard next on July 30
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th May: The Supreme Court of India on Friday pulled up the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction over public remarks regarding the pending Shiv Sena split case arising from the 2022 political crisis in Maharashtra.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticised what he described as irresponsible statements made in the media alleging delays by the apex court in deciding the matter.
“First you stop your people from going to the media and making irresponsible statements… saying that ‘Supreme Court is not deciding’,” the Chief Justice observed during the hearing.
The bench warned that any attempt to influence judicial proceedings through media campaigns or public rhetoric would not be tolerated.
“The judicial process cannot be influenced by external rhetoric,” the Chief Justice said, adding that the court would independently allocate time to hear all parties.
The case relates to the split in the Shiv Sena in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde led 39 MLAs into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, resulting in the collapse of the government headed by Uddhav Thackeray.
The legal battle before the Supreme Court concerns the party name, election symbol and disqualification of legislators belonging to the rival factions.
During the hearing, senior advocate Devdatt Kamat, appearing for the Thackeray faction, sought an expedited hearing and said the matter had remained pending for nearly three years.
“We are anxious because for three years we have been waiting,” Kamat told the bench.
Responding to the court’s concerns regarding media comments, Kamat said the Thackeray faction had no objection to the court fixing a suitable date for hearing.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Shinde faction, also opposed attempts to pressure the judiciary through media statements.
“No litigant has a right to say anything against it,” Rohatgi said while noting that the court had shown patience towards all parties involved in the dispute.
The Supreme Court said it expected cooperation from both factions and listed the matter for further hearing on July 30.
