Brundaban Nayak V Election Commission of India1

By Yash Vardhan Singh2

Facts:
Brundaban Nayak elected as MLA from Hinjli constituency in Ganjam District. Later he was appointed as minister. On 18 Aug. 1964, application to governor regarding disqualifications of the member under art. 191 (1)(e) read with section 7 (b) of Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 was challenged. Governor forwarded the application to Election Commissioner under Art. 192 to seek opinion. EC communicated its opinion to Governor after hearing of the parties. In the course of the communication of opinion by Election Commissioner, appellant moved to Punjab and Haryana High Court. Petition was dismissed. So appellant filed SLP in Supreme Court and was granted.

Issues:
Issue was raised according to the Constitution of India, Arts. 192(1) and (2)--Who have the authority to raise question for the disqualification of sitting member- Whether question has to be raised on floor of the Assembly and referred to the Governor by Speaker--Enquiry to be held by Governor or Election Commission?

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1965 AIR 1892, 1965 SCR (3) 53 Sem III Sec B Roll No. 148

Judgment:
The opinion was invited. Appellant sought for Adjournment and the other factor was that he was absent. The Election Commissioner wanted to hear the appellant on the basis of Article 192 (2). In accordance with the Article 191 (1) (e), read with Section 7 (6) of RPA, 1951, he is so disqualified by or under any law made by parliament. Disqualified means disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of either house of parliament or legislative assembly. Art. 191 (1) shows post disqualification; Art. 190 (3) proves it. This was further elucidated in the case of Election Commission of India v. Saka Venkata Subba Rao3, the judgment was read out on the basis of Art. 196 (3) and 192 (1) and post election ddisqualification was approved of. Art. 192 (2) emphasises on the word shall and talks of the transfer to the Election Commissioner. Decision was taken by the Governor in accordance with Art. 192 (1), that no consultation by Council and Minister required. Also, it was drawn to notice by the learned Attorney-General to the observations made by the Chief Election Commissioner when he rendered his opinion to the Governor on May 30, 1964, on a similar question under Art. 192(2) in respect of the alleged disqualification of Mr. Biren Mitra, a member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly, "Where, as in the present case", observed the Chief Election Commissioner, "the relevant facts are in dispute and can only be ascertained after a proper enquiry, the Commission finds itself in the unsatisfactory position of having to give a decisive opinion, and the basis of such affidavits and documents as may be produced before it by interested parties. The result is, the appeal fails and is dismissed with costs.

Conclusion:
In view of the fact that the present proceedings have unnecessarily protracted the enquiry before respondent No. 1, we suggest that respondent No. 1 should proceed to consider the matter and forward its opinion to the Governor as early as possible. It is hardly necessary to point out that in case the allegations made against the appellant are found to be valid, and the opinion of respondent No.1 is in favour of the case set out by respondent No. 2, complications may arise by reason of the Constitutional provision prescribed by Art. 190(3). In view of the said provision, it is of utmost importance that complaints made under Art. 192(1) must be disposed of as expeditiously as possible.
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1953 AIR 210