SC seeks Centre's reply on AAP plea against imposition of President's Rule in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre on a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) challenging imposition of President's rule in Delhi.

A bench comprising Justices R M Lodha and Dipak Misra issued notice to the Centre asking it to respond within ten days on the issue.

The bench, however, refrained from issuing a notice to the BJP or the Congress, which were made parties in the petition.

The court has posted the matter for hearing on March 7.

Confirming the development, AAP leader and advocate Prashant Bhushan said the party has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to direct the central government and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to dissolve the Delhi Assembly, and order for fresh elections in the capital.

"An important petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by the AAP, in which we have challenged the decision of the central government and lieutenant governor to impose President's rule in Delhi," said Bhushan,

"After the resignation of the AAP Government, which had also recommended the dissolution of the assembly and called for fresh elections, imposing President's rule means violating the democratic rights of the people of Delhi," he said.

He further added that this decision by the central government had been taken to influence ongoing criminal investigations.

"It appears to have been done in order to influence the ongoing criminal investigations in several FIRs, which have been registered regarding CWG, the Jal Board, as well as the recent gas price hike," Bhushan said.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi Chief Minister after the Assembly session was adjourned sine die following protests by the opposition over the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Kejriwal also said that the Delhi Assembly should be immediately dissolved, and demanded for re-elections in the state.

He claimed that Congress and BJP joined hands to stop the Jan Lokpal Bill because they were aware that most of their members would be jailed on charges of corruption if this Bill gets passed.