Solicitor General in SC: ‘Protest and Theatrics cannot be a substitute for court proceedings’

Central Government faulted CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday for holding a protest march against LG V K Saxena when the Supreme Court was adjudicating the Centre-Delhi dispute over “services.”

Solicitor General SG Tushar Mehta during the hearing of the case LG vs Delhi Govt, said that while we are arguing here in the apex court over rights and Might and the other hand, constitutional officials are holding rallies on the streets against the LG. Protest and theatrics cannot be a substitute for court proceedings.”

Advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Delhi government, responded, “There’s a lot Delhi could accuse the Union government when it is about stalling legitimate exercise of legislative and executive powers of the Delhi government”

Mehta raised the issue of protest before a five-judge constitution bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, which was hearing a contentious dispute between the Delhi government and the central government over control of services. Mehta said certain things are happening in the capital and termed the protests as “undesirable”.

Mehta told the bench, which included M.R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and P.S. Narasimha, that protests and theatrics are not permitted when the constitution bench is hearing the case.
Mehta stated that there is one caveat and that he would limit himself to legal submissions only. He went on to say, “While I say this, certain events are happening in the national capital while your Lordships are in midst of the matter. Some protests are being held…”Mehta stressed that events in the capital would be noticed everywhere.

“I have much more to say than he has,” senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, stated.

“This is a question on constitutional interpretation. Mr Singhvi, we have made it clear,” the bench told Singhvi.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs marched to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) office on Monday, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to protest against its alleged interference in the functioning of the government.
On Monday, the Delhi Assembly was adjourned for the day amid heated exchanges between BJP and AAP MLAs over the government’s “inaction” in combating pollution and Lieutenant Governor V.K Saxena’s alleged interference in government operations.