Supreme Court Orders Mizoram District Councils to Review Dual Membership Rules

Aizawl: The Supreme Court ordered the Chakma and Mara Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram to revisit rules allowing members to hold dual seats in the state Legislative Assembly. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued the ruling after reviewing an appeal from Rustom Chakma.

This case centered on Rule 4 of the 2003 amendment to the Chakma Autonomous District Council rules. This change scrubbed a previous ban on holding seats in both the council and the state assembly. The Sixth Schedule oversees three districts: the Chakma, Mara, and Lai ADCs. While the Lai ADC kept the ban in place, the other two councils abandoned it decades ago.

The high court initially dismissed the challenge. It ruled that the Constitution does not block members from serving in both bodies simultaneously. The Supreme Court took a different view. It held that the three districts must share uniform standards. The judges stated: "The three ADCs should be placed at par with regard to the bar on dual membership."

The Chief Executive Members of the Chakma and Mara councils now have three months to decide if they should reinstate the original restrictions. If the councils fail to reach a resolution by then, the Mizoram government or Rustom Chakma can return to the Supreme Court. The order effectively voids the February 4, 2026, Gauhati High Court judgment.