Uttarakhand: Centre to move Supreme Court today against HC order on President’s Rule

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Apr 22, 2016: The Centre will move the Supreme Court on Friday to challenge Uttarakhand High Court’s order quashing the proclamation of President’s rule in the state, thereby restoring Congress leader Harish Rawat as the chief minister.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said he will mention the matter before the bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur in the morning today seeking a stay on the verdict, which has revived the Congress government headed by Rawat.

The HC bench headed by Chief Justice KM Joseph came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party led government at the Centre for its March 27 move to dismiss Rawat under the much-contested article 356 that empowers the union cabinet to impose President’s Rule in a state.

He said the imposition of President’s rule was contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.

The case "brings to the fore a situation where 356 has been used contrary to the law", said the bench of Chief Justice and Justice VK Bist, adding the article should only be used as a last resort.

"The proclamation of March 27 stands quashed," said the court in the "status quo ante" order, meaning the previously existing state of affairs was being restored.

Rattled by the Uttarakhand High Court’s order, BJP chief Amit Shah and senior ministers today went into a huddle and decided that the government will move the SC.

Rawat has filed a caveat in the apex court seeking that he be heard before any order is passed on Centre’s plea.