On Thursday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal referred the issue pertaining to the appointment of a panel of lawyers to argue cases regarding the Feb riots in the city to the President.
Baijal also issued an interim order, saying till the matter is resolved by the President the panel of lawyers appointed by the Delhi Police & approved by his office will continue to argue cases.
The Govt. of Delhi in a statement said Baijal invoked Article 239AA(4) of the Indian Constitution & referred the dispute to the President, citing “differences of opinion” with the elected Govt.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Cabinet, in its meeting chaired by CM Arvind Kejriwal, had rejected the panel of lawyers proposed by the Delhi Police, saying it would not help a “free & fair” trial of the cases related to the riots in north-east Delhi. Following this, Kejriwal on Wednesday evening went to meet the L-G to discuss the issue.
The Govt statement reads, “The L-G invoked special powers granted to him under the Constitution. The home department of the Delhi government has been ordered to approve the panel chosen by the Delhi Police. The Delhi government will now have to implement the order at any cost as it is mandated by the Constitution".
The Lieutenant Governor’s office refused to comment on the matter.
On July 10, the Delhi Police had proposed the names of 6 special public prosecutors to argue 85 cases related to riots & the anti-CAA protests. But, the Delhi Govt had rejected the panel.
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