SC asks Centre, Delhi govt to file joint arguments in services row

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued an order directing the Centre and the Delhi government to jointly compile their arguments in the plea filed by the Delhi government challenging the Central government's law that interferes with the elected power in controlling services. The new law establishes the supremacy of the Lieutenant Governor over the elected NCT government.

- ASHISH SINHA

A bench, comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, heard senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who represented the Delhi government, urged the bench to expedite the matter by listing it before a five-judge Constitution bench.

Expressing the frustrations of the Delhi administration, Singhvi said, "I can't express the agony of the (Delhi) administration." In response, the Chief Justice remarked, "There are older Constitution bench matters, and there are two seven-judge bench matters also coming up. All these are also important and are pending for years." The Chief Justice indicated that the case might be listed for a hearing after some time.

However, the bench instructed Singhvi and Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain to collaborate and determine the legal issues to be addressed by the Constitution bench regarding the services dispute. They also designated Shadan Farasat as the nodal counsel and instructed both parties to prepare their submissions within four weeks before considering a listing.