SC to hear PIL seeking to fill vacant Deputy Speaker post in Lok Sabha, Assemblies of states on July 22

New Delhi [India], July 15 : The Supreme Court on Monday posted for a hearing on July 22 a PIL seeking the election of the Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies of several States.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra agreed to list the matter on July 22 as Attorney General R Venkataramani was not available to argue the case.
"Alright let him come on Monday we will list the case," said the CJI.
Counsel representing petitioner Shariq Ahmed submitted that the Centre needs to inform on not appointing Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha.
It was highlighted that even in the newly formed Parliament, the seat of Deputy Speaker remains vacant.
In February 2023, the top court issued notice to the Centre and some States regarding the PIL.
The petition submitted that the mandated office of Deputy Speaker is vacant for years in the Lok Sabha and State assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, and Rajasthan.
The plea has submitted that, as per Article 93 and Article 178 of the Indian Constitution, it is mandatory for State legislatures to conduct elections for the post of Deputy Speakers.
It highlighted that the Deputy Speaker is a constitutional post and the vacancy is "depriving the public at large of their right to be governed as per the Constitutional mandate".