The Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that protests and theatrics are never permitted when a constitution bench is deliberating over a constitutional question, such as who, the Delhi government or the Centre, controls services such as posting and transferring bureaucrats.
New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that protests and theatrics are never permitted when a constitution bench is deliberating on a constitutional question, such as who, the Delhi government or the Centre, controls services such as posting and transferring bureaucrats.
The Centre’s Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, referred to the AAP MLAs’ protest against alleged interference by the lieutenant governor’s (L-G) office in its operations.
Mehta raised the issue of protest before a five-judge constitution bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, which was hearing a contentious dispute between the Delhi government and the central government over control of services. Mehta said certain things are happening in the capital and termed the protests as “undesirable”.
Mehta told the bench, which included M.R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and P.S. Narasimha, that protests and theatrics are never permitted when the constitution bench is hearing the case.
Mehta stated that there is one caveat and that he would limit himself to legal submissions only. “While I say this, certain events are taking place in the national capital while your Lordships are engaged in the matter,” he added. Some protests are taking place…”, Mehta said, emphasising that events in the capital would be noticed everywhere.
“I have much more to say than he has,” senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, stated.
“This is a question of constitutional interpretation… Mr Singhvi, we have made it clear,” the bench told him.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs marched to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) office on Monday, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to protest the L-alleged G’s interference in government operations.
On Monday, the Delhi Assembly was adjourned for the day amid heated exchanges between BJP and AAP MLAs over the government’s “inaction” in combating pollution and Lieutenant Governor V.K Saxena’s alleged interference in government operations.
AAP legislators chanted anti-L-G slogans in the house in response to his opposition to sending Delhi government teachers to Finland for a training programme.
