The Supreme Court of India officially rejected the legal challenge mounted by former Khairatabad legislator Danam Nagender, affirming his disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The landmark judicial ruling marks a decisive turn in Telangana political dynamics.

The apex court bench reviewed the Telangana High Court ruling and found no legal error in declaring Nagender disqualified from holding legislative office. The justices affirmed that contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket while remaining a BRS elected assembly member constituted a clear case of voluntarily giving up party membership under anti-defection provisions.

What Is at Stake In Nagender’s Supreme Court Case?

Nagender won the Khairatabad seat on a BRS ticket in December 2023. Months later, he joined Congress and contested the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat without resigning. BRS and BJP leaders filed disqualification petitions challenging the Assembly Speaker’s inaction, prompting legal proceedings that reached the Supreme Court.

The High Court bench exercised judicial review under Article 226, setting aside the Speaker’s dismissal order and declaring Nagender retroactively disqualified from the date of filing his Lok Sabha nomination. The High Court also refused to grant a stay on its order, prompting Nagender to approach the Supreme Court for emergency relief.

With the Supreme Court upholding the disqualification judgment, the Khairatabad assembly constituency officially stands vacant. The Election Commission of India will proceed with scheduling a high-stakes by-election, setting a key legal precedent for remaining defection petitions pending against other crossover legislators in Telangana.