The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it cannot be prevented from examining the report of the Governor to recommend President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh if “democracy is slaughtered”.
With the Central Rule imposed in the State on January 26 under challenge by the erstwhile Congress Government led by former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, an argument was made by the counsel appearing for some of the BJP MlAs in the Assembly that the Governor’s recommendation cannot be reviewed by the Court.
Reacting sharply to this argument, the five-judge bench headed by Justice JS Khehar said, “If democracy is slaughtered, how can the Court remain silent.” The bench had questioned the hurry on part of the Governor to advance the sitting of the Assembly from January to December. The bench, also comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B lokur, PC Ghose and NV Ramana, also summoned all dispatch records showing correspondences exchanged between Arunachal Pradesh Speaker and Governor between October and now.
Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who argued for rebel Congress legislators who had joined hands with BJP MlAs to oust the Speaker, maintained that calling the assembly session is not “undemocratic” and did not frustrate “democratic process”. He in turn accused the Congress government in being undemocratic by locking the Assembly building and shying from a no confidence vote. The hearing of the case will continue on Friday.