By Vishwapati
Patna: The reinstatement of RJD’s Sunil Singh as a Member of the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) was announced on Wednesday by Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh. The decision was communicated in the House, following the Supreme Court’s directive to restore Singh’s membership. However, as per the court’s order, Singh will not be entitled to receive seven months’ worth of salary and other remuneration.
Singh’s membership had previously been terminated due to his act of mimicking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a decision that was later challenged in the Supreme Court. The court ultimately ruled in Singh’s favour, granting him significant relief.
RJD MLC Sunil Singh, who had lost his membership of the Bihar Legislative Council after mimicking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, secured a major victory in the Supreme Court. On February 25, the court ruled in his favour and ordered the restoration of his MLC membership. Although the budget session of the Bihar Legislature commenced on 28th February, no immediate action was taken by the council to reinstate Singh’s membership.
Singh had recently expressed concern over the delay in implementing the court’s order. However, Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh has now confirmed in the House that Sunil Singh’s membership has been restored effective from February 25. Despite this, Singh will not receive any remuneration or benefits for the seven-month period during which his membership was suspended. Singh had formally written to the Chairman on March 3 regarding the restoration of his membership.
Supreme Court Upholds Seven-Month Penalty
Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh stated that the Supreme Court had also upheld the House’s decision to take disciplinary action against Sunil Singh. The court deemed Singh’s act of mimicking the Chief Minister as inappropriate but concluded that the seven-month penalty imposed on him was sufficient. As a result, Singh will not be eligible for remuneration or other benefits for that period.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
