SC refuses to entertain Delhi Govt's petition on interpretation of power

In a major setback for the Aam Admi party-led Delhi government, the Supreme Court on 8 July refused to entertain its petition on interpretation of powers vis-a-vis the Centre.

During the hearing, the Apex Court stated that the High Court has already reserved its judgement on the matter.

Rebuking the state government, the court said they should have withdrawn their plea in the Delhi High Court before approaching the SC.

The bench headed by justice Dipak Misra stated that all High Courts have their own independence under the Constitution to decide the matter.

"Why should we ask Delhi HC to decide only on jurisdiction and not on the merit on the case," Misra said.

Earlier, the Kejriwal government had said the HC did not have jurisdiction to adjudicate a dispute between a state and the Centre, contending that the matter fell squarely within the SC's purview.

In its petition, the AAP government alleged that it is unable to function as the Lieutenant Governor, at the behest of the Centre, either annuls or changes its decisions on the ground that Delhi is not a complete state.

The AAP government and Centre have been locking horns over governance in Delhi for most of the party's tenure, leading to the ruling party seeking the apex court's intervention in resolving the matter.

-ANI