"Tareekh Par Tareekh...Par Insaaf Nahi Mila": AAP on SC's split verdict on Delhi govt's powers

Justice Sikri speaking for the bench on the issues except services said that there has to be mutual respect between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor as it was an essential part of good governance.

A screenshot from the video below.

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday expressed its disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict on agreeing over Centre having control over the Anti-Corruption Bureau in the national capital. The two-judge SC bench’s decision is seen as a major setback for Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party. AAP shared a video of Sunny Deol’s 1993 blockbuster 'Damini' in which the actor in a courtroom vehemently laments about the postponement of hearings and justice not being served. (Tareekh pe tareekh, tareekh pe tareekh, tareekh pe tareekh milti gayi My Lord, Per insaaf nahi mila) Even as the two-judge bench has delivered a split verdict on the powers of the Delhi government, the issue now being referred to a larger bench. While Justice A.K. Sikri said transfers and postings of Joint Secretaries and officers above will be in the domain of Lieutenant Governor; for those below them, the recommendation will be routed through the Council of Ministers of the elected government in Delhi. However, Justice Ashok Bhushan differed saying that the Delhi government has no control over appointments. Transfer and appointment of "higher" officers will rest with the Centre, he added. The Centre alone will control the Anti-Corruption Bureau and can only pass orders under the Commission of Inquiry Act. The bench also said that the Delhi government will have the powers to appoint Special Public Prosecutor, and decide the minimum rate of the agricultural land in the national capital. The power to regulate electricity will also rest with the Delhi government.

तारीख पर तारीख...#DelhiVsCenter #Services pic.twitter.com/9ol2II7AA5

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 14, 2019

Justice Sikri speaking for the bench on the issues except services said that there has to be mutual respect between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor as it was an essential part of good governance. Saying that both -- the LG and the Delhi government -- must realise that they are there to serve the people. The court said that LG will not routinely differ with Delhi government. He said that on the issues where differences are fundamental backed by cogent reasons, the LG would refer the matter to the President for a decision which would be binding. The court also made it clear that the LG would not unduly delay referring the matter to the President where there is a fundamental difference of opinion with the Delhi government. (With additional information from IANS)