Supreme Court Challenges Bihar Minister Deepak Prakash's Tenure

The Supreme Court of India has raised significant questions regarding the legitimacy of Deepak Prakash's position as Bihar's Panchayati Raj Minister, particularly focusing on the legal implications of his unelected status. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that the Bihar government must clarify how Prakash has managed to serve as a minister for over six months without being elected to either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council, which is a requirement under the Constitution. The court has scheduled a hearing on this matter for August 27, underscoring the urgency and importance of the case.

Deepak Prakash, who is the son of Upendra Kushwaha, the leader of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and a prominent ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was first appointed to his ministerial role during Nitish Kumar's administration. His initial term concluded when Kumar resigned on April 15, 2026. Following a brief interlude of 22 days, Prakash was reinstated as minister when Samrat Choudhary took over the government on May 7. Despite holding a key position in the Cabinet, Prakash has not secured a seat as either a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), which raises questions about the validity of his continued service.