The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Centre over the contentious farm laws and said that either the Centre should put a stay on the laws or the court will. The Chief Justice of India has asked whether the implementation of laws can be put on hold for the time being. It said will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse.
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SC slams Centre on handling the crisis of farmers
"Tell us whether you will put the laws on hold or else we will do it. What's the prestige issue here," the court said, saying it was disappointed by the government's handling of the crisis.
The court's sharp remarks came during a hearing on petitions challenging the farm laws and the farmer agitation at the Delhi borders. The cour will pass order tomorrow on whether to stay the farm laws.
"Each one of us will be responsible if anything goes wrong. We don't want any injuries or blood on our hands," Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said in a series of stern comments to the government.
“We have given you long rope, Mr Attorney General, please don't lecture us on patience,” a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, that the top court has made harsh observations regarding the handling of the situation by the government. “That was the most innocuous factual thing for us to say,” the bench said.
The apex court, which said it will pass orders on the issue concerning farm laws and farmers' protest in part in the matter, asked the parties to suggest two-three names of former CJIs including former CJI R M Lodha who can head the apex court-appointed panel.
The SC also suggested that after the implementation of the laws was stayed, the protest could continue. "But decide whether you want to carry on the protest on the same site or move to other," it said.