Supreme Court orders status quo in Arunachal Pradesh

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered status quo in Arunachal Pradesh, putting a spoke in the move to install an alternative government in the state which is under President’s Rule since January 26.

A five-judge Constitution bench presided by Justice J S Khehar decided to examine the records relating to the decision of Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia on disqualification of 14 rebel Congress MLAs. The court’s order, restraining the governor from swearing-in a new government, came hours after the Cabinet decided to recommend revocation of President’s Rule. 

Interestingly, on Tuesday, a Congress delegation met President Pranab Mukherjee requesting him not to accept the Cabinet decision.  The apex



court had on Tuesday refused to pass any order on a similar plea by the Congress.

Cong had opposed moveDuring the hearing on Wednesday, senior advocates F S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Arunachal Pradesh Congress leaders, sought maintenance of status quo, saying the governor may allow formation of a government, nullifying proceedings before the court.

Allowing their plea, the bench directed the Secretary General of Arunachal Pradesh Assembly and the Gauhati High Court Registry to furnish records on disqualification of the MLAs by Thursday.

“We are of the view, that it is essential to peruse the original record pertaining to the disqualification of the 14 MLAs,” the bench said.