U'khand crisis: HC asks Centre to file rejoinder by Apr. 12

The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday granted the Centre time till April 12 to file rejoinder to the Congress challenge of appropriation ordinance and validity of imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution.

The High Court judges also cautioned the Centre on the Uttarakhand crisis, saying that 'no hanky panky must be done by April 18 (probable next date of hearing) or we can pass an order to protect the litigant -like revoke 356'.

The High Court had yesterday declined the Centre's plea seeking more time to argue former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat's plea against the President's rule in the state.

However, the court assured the Centre that no orders would be passed without hearing the Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi.

The Centre also sought an adjournment in this affidavit so that they can study it and formulate their response.

The Congress Party had on Friday filed a petition before the High Court challenging the Centre's appropriation ordinance for the state.

A two-judge of the High Court had on Wednesday stayed the floor test for the former Congress Government in the Uttarakhand Assembly, which was scheduled for March 31 and decided to take up the matter on April 6.

The crisis in the hill state erupted on March 18 when nine Congress MLAs rebelled against the Rawat government, resulting in a flip-flop in the passage of the Appropriation Bill.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met Governor K.K. Paul on the same day and staked claim to form the government.

However, the Centre imposed President's Rule on March 27, a day before Rawat was supposed to take the floor test in the assembly.