I did conduct a ‘limited inquiry’ before accepting resignations of six AIADMK MLAs, Speaker tells HC
Says, he had inquired with the individual MLAs to ascertain whether their resignations were voluntary and genuine
On August 17, 2026, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar informed the Madras High Court that he had performed a "limited inquiry" before accepting the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs between May 26 and June 29, 2026. In a filing before the first Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, he stated he had consulted with the MLAs to verify if their resignations were genuine and voluntary.
Prabhakar represented himself by filing the affidavit through Legislative Assembly Secretary R. Santhi, following counsel V Giri's argument that the Speaker had not entered formal appearance. The Speaker assured there was no ill intent behind the counter affidavit. He explained all six MLAs had submitted their resignations in person and in their own handwriting, and he personally inquired with each MLA about the voluntariness and lack of coercion in their decisions.
The Speaker noted that no evidence existed of undue influence or pressure from others, and that the inquiry conducted was within the constitutional mandate under Article 190(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 22 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules. The Chief Justice's Bench adjourned the hearing to September 1, 2026, for the petitioner to file a reply to the affidavit.
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