Raju Ramachandran - There are five grounds of arguments. The proclamation of the President’s Rule is one of them. It was instituted on 19.12.2018 and has been extended since.
Sr. Adv. Raju Ramachandran has been asked to commence with his arguments.
Adv. ML Sharma - Everybody is here because I am here.
SG Tushar Mehta - There are no pleadings in his petition.
RD - If he wishes to argue, he can go ahead.
ML Sharma - Senior counsels can argue first. I will go last.
J. Ramana - Mr. Ramachandran can take the chair (pointing at the arguing counsel’s chair in which ML Sharma is sitting).
Justice Ramana - Issues before the court are:
- Reorganisation of J&K.
- President’s Rule.
- Abrogation of Art. 370.
RD, representing People’s Conference - I have specific instructions from my clients. I have yet to confer with others regarding their arguments. There may not be agreement over all approaches.
Head count is being taken. There are about 20 advocates in total who will be advancing arguments.
RD - Leave it our discipline. The scope will be figured out as we proceed.
Rajeev Dhavan - We are yet to discuss the bulk of our arguments. The scope of it.
Sr. Adv. Raju Ramachandran - I cannot guarantee spillover, however I can finish my arguments by Thursday.
J. Ramana - Additional documents can be filed by the end of the week. Arguments can begin today. Who will argue ? Figure out the schedule.
Sr. Adv. Rajeev Dhawan - The compilation is ready. However, it is running into large volumes (5). We wish to include Constituent Assembly debates. More volumes will be required.