After seeking more than five adjournments over more than six years, the Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it will by the first week of February file its reply in the case of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking direction to the Union Government to declare Ram Sethu as a national heritage monument.
After Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s assurance, the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha, posted the matter to the second week of February.
Swamy pointed out that the Solicitor General had made a commitment to file the reply and the Cabinet Secretary should be summoned to the court. “Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said the counter will be filed by December 12. But it has not been filed yet. Earlier, they said it's ready,” said Swamy. “Subramanian Swamy is saying you have not kept your commitment to file the counter in the Ram Sethu matter,” the CJI directed his poser to the SG. “It is under consideration. Discussion is going on. Kindly have it in the first week of February,” Mehta replied, prompting Swamy to demand the summoning of the Cabinet Secretary.
“No No,” said the CJI with a smile directing the Centre to provide the affidavit copy to Swamy also and posted the matter for the second week of February.