Before Supreme Court, Centre Objects To Delhi CM's Protests Against LG Amidst Hearing

The Central Government on Tuesday raised objections before the Supreme Court to the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holding public protests against the Lieutenant Governor in the middle of the hearing in the dispute related to control of civil services in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.

As soon as the 5-judge Constitution Bench assembled to begin the hearing, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said :

"There is one caveat, before I take your lordships through legal submissions. I would confine to legal submissions only. Why I say this? Certain events are happening when your lordships are in the midst of the matter. Some protests etc, which constitutional functionaries would always avoid when the matter is before your lordships. I would not answer, but if your lordships would like to know the facts, we are always open. But we thought we would confine to legal and constitutional submission only. Because protests and theatrics can never take the place of submissions before the Constitution Bench. If your lordships find anything based on news articles recently published...must be a coincidence that since last 8 days news articles are coming or some protests. If your lordships would like to know the facts, we will be very happy to help".

"We can't decide a question of constitutional interpretation on the basis of....", Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said.

Before the CJI completed, SG said, "Absolutely, by going into that I don't wish to reduce the level of debate before the highest court of the country. Because whatever happens in the capital is seen by the entire world and it is an embarrassment for the entire nation. That is why I have put the caveat. We have nothing to hide".

CJI Chandrachud then turned to Senior Advocate Dr.Abhishek Singhvi, who is representing the Delhi Government : " Dr.Singhvi, we have to indicate this. We are deciding a constitutional issue".

"I have much more to say than he has and I have desisted completely", Singhvi replied.

After this exchange, the bench commenced the hearing on the merits of the matter. The Constitution Bench comprising CJI Chandrachud, Justice MR Shah, Justice Krishna Murari, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice PS Narasimha is hearing the issues referred to it by a three bench in 2021 regarding the interpretation of Article 239AA of the Constitution so as to decide whether Centre or the Delhi Government have the power to control the civil servants serving the GNCTD.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led a protest march to the Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) house along with all the cabinet ministers and AAP MLAs. "LG is not our headmaster to check our homework", CM Kejriwal said during the protest march.

"Delhi does not need tyranny but constitution and democracy. Our struggle for people's rights will continue", Kejriwal said in a tweet later.

 Live-updates from today's hearing :