LS Speaker Doesn't Appear In UBT Plea Against ShivSena MPs' Merger; Supreme Court Lists Matter For Final Disposal

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Published 27 October 2026

Case: UBT Plea Against ShivSena MPs' Merger
Court: Supreme Court of India
Source: LiveLaw

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

The Supreme Court listed for final disposal a plea by the Uddhav Thackeray faction (UBT) challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision to not disqualify Shiv Sena MPs who merged with the Eknath Shinde faction. The Speaker did not appear before the Court.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

The Supreme Court's decision to list the matter for final disposal indicates that the non-appearance of a respondent, even a constitutional authority like the Lok Sabha Speaker, does not impede the Court's ability to proceed with a matter of public importance.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates should note that the Supreme Court may proceed with final disposal even if a respondent, including a constitutional office holder, does not appear. Litigants should ensure all necessary parties are properly served and represented to avoid ex-parte proceedings or adverse orders.

Key Legal Takeaways

1The Supreme Court will proceed with final disposal of the UBT plea challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision.
2The Lok Sabha Speaker did not appear before the Supreme Court in the matter.
3The case concerns the merger of Shiv Sena MPs with the Eknath Shinde faction.

The Legal Issue The Uddhav Thackeray faction (UBT) of the Shiv Sena filed a plea before the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker not to disqualify certain Shiv Sena Members of Parliament (MPs). These MPs had merged with the Eknath Shinde faction, leading to a dispute over their continued membership in the original political party and their status under anti-defection laws.

Court's Reasoning The Supreme Court noted that the Lok Sabha Speaker, despite being a party to the proceedings, did not appear before the Court. Despite this non-appearance, the Court decided to list the matter for final disposal, indicating its intent to resolve the substantive issues raised in the UBT faction's plea. The Court did not issue any specific directions regarding the Speaker's non-appearance at this stage, focusing instead on the progression of the main petition.

What Follows The Supreme Court has listed the matter for final disposal. This means that the case will now proceed to a stage where arguments on the merits of the UBT faction's challenge to the Speaker's decision will be heard, and a final judgment is expected. The non-appearance of the Lok Sabha Speaker may be noted by the Court during the final hearing, but it will not prevent the Court from adjudicating the issues presented.