HC pulls up AAP government, says it cannot 'pressurise' court

New Delhi, April 26: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, April 26 pulled up the AAP government saying it cannot "pressurise" it and there should be some limit to its arguments on issues arising out of the spat with Lieutenant Government (LG).

"There should be some limit. You cannot behave in such a way. Is this a way of addressing the court? Are you trying to pressurise this court by saying that you will take two days to argue," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked after Delhi government's counsel said he would take two days to address arguments on one of the petitions on commission of inquiry set up by AAP government on alleged DDCA scam.

"Two days? We will not give you more than two hours. Everything has been argued before us. You just tell us if you have some additional points," the bench said, adding, "You cannot pressurise the court like this.

The Supreme Court has said that this court should conclude the matter by July 31." The counsel, however, said he would not repeat the issues which had already been advanced before the court. "I will not repeat anything.

This is my undertaking to the court. All my points are additional," he said. The bench, however, said, "You submit your written points specifying the points which you want to argue. You cannot go on and on. There should be some limit."

During the arguments today, the counsel dealt with the modalities and jurisdiction of Delhi government with respect to the setting up of a commission of inquiry. He said the resolution passed by council of ministers was binding on the LG. "LG seeking intervention of the Home Ministry is mala fide. He (LG) had feared that corruption in DDCA will be exposed and the Home Ministry stopped it (commission of inquiry)," he claimed.

A total of 11 cases arising out of the spat between the LG and Delhi government, are being heard together by the bench.

The arguments in other matters would continue tomorrow. The Delhi government on May 28 last year had approached the high court challenging the Centre's notification of May 21 giving LG absolute powers to appoint bureaucrats in the city.

It had also challenged the July 23, 2014 notification limiting jurisdiction of the Anti Corruption Branch to Delhi government officials only.

PTI