NEW DELHI: In partial relief to Modi government, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed till April 27 the Uttarakhand High Court’s verdict quashing President’s rule in the state. The HC judgement will be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing.
The Centre had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Uttarakhand High Court verdict quashing imposition of President’s rule in the state.
Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi mentioned the appeal before a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh, which asked him to approach the Registry for listing it for hearing today itself.
The AG said there was a need for an urgent hearing in view of the apparent problem likely to occur between today and Monday.
“I want to press for the stay today itself,” Rohatgi said.
A petition was also filed by nine Congress rebel MLAs who were disqualified by the Speaker and they have challenged the HC verdict keeping them away from participating in the floor test scheduled for April 29.
Coming down heavily on the Centre for the March 27 proclamation under Art 356, the High Court had yesterday quashed the imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand and restored the dismissed Congress government while castigating the Centre for uprooting a democratically-elected government.
The HC had said the imposition of President’s rule was contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.