The ongoing tussle between the Delhi Government and the LG regarding the appointment of panel of lawyers to argue delhi riots cases, has taken a new turn, as the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal has referred this issue to the President.
The Delhi government in a statement said Baijal invoked Article 239AA(4) of the Indian Constitution and referred the dispute to the President, citing “differences of opinion” with the elected government.
According to an interim order issued by Lt governor, till the matter is resolved by the President the panel of lawyers appointed by the Delhi Police and approved by his office will continue to argue cases.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi Cabinet, in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, had rejected the panel of lawyers proposed by the Delhi Police, saying it would not help a “free and fair” trial of the cases related to the fray in north-east Delhi.
Following this, Kejriwal on Wednesday evening met the Lt Governor to discuss the issue.
“The Lt Governor invoked special powers granted to him under the Constitution. The home department of the Delhi government has been ordered to approve the panel chosen by the Delhi Police. The Delhi government will now have to implement the order at any cost as it is mandated by the Constitution,” the government statement read.
The Delhi police on July 10, proposed the names of six special public prosecutors to argue 85 cases related to riots and the anti-CAA protests. But, the Delhi government had rejected the panel.
