SC refuses 'urgent' hearing on plea seeking budget deferment till April

The plea was filed in the wake of the election dates being announced for five state assemblies

The Supreme Court on Friday refused an urgent hearing on a plea seeking that the Union Budget for 2017-18 be deferred till April.

The public suit by advocate M L Sharma came in the wake of the staggered election dates being announced for five state assemblies between February 4 and March 8.

Thus, presenting the budget now would violate the Model Code of Conduct which has come into force with the announcement of the election schedule, the petitioner contended.

A bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice N V Ramana and Justice D Y Chandrachud said that they would decide the issue when it comes in its normal course.