In a landmark verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court today unanimously held that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal does not have independent decision making powers, and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The judgement pronounced in the court by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, who was heading the Constitution bench, also held that the LG cannot act as an "obstructionist". In three separate but concurring judgements, the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said there is no independent authority vested with the LG to take independent decisions. It said all decisions of the Council of Ministers, who are elected representatives of the people of Delhi, must be communicated to the LG but that does not mean his concurrence is required. On this edition of ‘The Big Picture’ we analyse the Apex Court’s judgment on the power tussle in Delhi and its implications.
Guests - B.P. Singh, Former Governor & Home Secretary,
P.K. Malhotra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, GoI,
Justice Jaspal Singh, Former Judge, Delhi High Court,
Shekhar Iyer, Senior Journalist,
Anchor - Frank Rausan Pereira
3 июл 2018
