Supreme Court asks centre to explain President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday brushed aside objections raised by the government to a Congress challenge to the imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh. It asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to explain the government’s views, if any, on governor JP Rajkhowa’s report, which had recommended President’s rule and its consequential proclamation.

Rohatgi sought to raise several technical objections to the petition filed even before the proclamation had been issued. "There are some rules and procedures which have to be followed," said Rohatgi, who was asked to appear in the court by a five-judge bench, comprising justices JS Khehar, Dipak Misra, MB Lokur, PC Ghose and NV Ramana. "Where is the challenge to the presidential proclamation?" he asked, alluding to the fact that the Congress had filed the plea in anticipation.

The bench gave Rohatgi time till Friday to file a reply. The case will be heard again on Monday. Rohatgi sought more time when asked to file a reply by Thursday morning. "I don’t even know what has been filed. We must have some breathing space. How can I file by tomorrow?" He agreed to file a reply by Friday, after the court insisted that the "gravity" of the issue demanded it.

Rohatgi kept his legal options open when he said the President need not act only on the governor’s report and could get information from other sources to declare a breakdown of constitutional machinery.

Congress lawyers Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal accused the governor of mala fides, saying he had done nothing to explore the possibility of an alternative government, a must as per Bommai ruling before the governor recommends President’s rule. They urged the court to give a conclusive ruling on the fate of the 14 rebel Congress MLAs who were disqualified by the Speaker.