Blitz Bureau
THE Supreme Court said on July 29 that the Presidential reference case on timelines and procedures for the President and state Governors will be heard from August 19.
A Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Atul S Chandurkar asked all parties to submit their written submissions by August 12, reported Bar and Bench.
Senior Advocate KK Venugopal, appearing for Kerala, questioned the maintainability of the reference. “There are grounds for it to be returned and we question the maintainability,” he said. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal also opposed the reference.
“Misha Rohatgi will be nodal counsel from our side”, he said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, said, “Aman Mehta will be the standing counsel at our end.” The court eventually posted the matter for hearing on August 19 and said that it will hear on the aspect of maintainability first.
“We will hear parties on maintainability first. The ones opposing shall be heard in 19, 20, 21 and 26 August. Supporting the reference will be heard on August 20, Sept 2, 3 and 9. Time schedule will be strictly followed. Let parties complete arguments as prescribed,” it said. The Bench was constituted to decide the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143(1) of the Constitution, which allows the President to seek the court’s opinion on questions of law or matters of public importance.
