SC Refuses To Recall Order Dismissing Mahua Moitra's Plea On Migrants Issue

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to recall the order passed on April 13 which dismissed the suo moto writ petition taken by the Court on a letter petition sent by TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah dismissed the fresh interlocutory application filed by Moitra in the suo moto case taken by the Court on the migrants issue

"She is a respectable Member of Parliament. If we allow this, it will become a chaotic situation. We have assistance of Union and States", Justice S K Kaul told Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, who was representing the MP from Krishnanagar, West Bengal.

The bench stated that there was no requirement to recall the order, as the Court was already considering the issues in the suo moto case.

"We do not find any good ground to recall the order since this Court has already entertained SMW (C) No. 6/2020 where all the issues are under consideration", the order stated.

The bench however allowed the Senior Advocate to make submissions, upon which he put forth certain suggestions for streamlining migrant transportation and registrations. After hearing the Centre, several States and few intervenors, the Court reserved orders in the matter for June 9.

In the recall application, Moitra also sought for the constitution of a court monitored independent committee to assess the crisis and recommend suitable remedies, stating that the Union Government had "utterly failed" to take care of the situation.

On April 3, the Court had taken suo moto notice of a letter written by her regarding the plight of stranded migrant workers. The letter was converted into a writ petition, and a report was sought for from the Central Government. However, on April 13, the Court dismissed the writ petition, through a one line order without stating any reason.

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