The Supreme Court of India has on January 13 held that the Legislative Assembly session in Arunachal Pradesh shall not be convened till January 18 in view of the ‘seriousness of issues’ surrounding the political crisis in the state following the ‘voting out of the present government’ and removal of the speaker.

A bench of Justices JS Khehar and C Nagappan passed the order while hearing five petitions challenging various orders of the Gauhati High Court. Speaker Nabam Rebia has challenged the order passed by the High Court in his challenge to various decisions of the Governor and Deputy Speaker including his removal from the Speaker’s post.

Court observed:

Insofar as the seriousness of the issues is concerned, and that they require immediate attention, there is no dispute at the hands of the learned counsel representing the respondents. Additionally, it is submitted by the learned counsel for the respondents, that in terms of the Rules of Procedure, the Assembly cannot, in any eventuality, be convened without a prior notice of two weeks, and as such, there is no question of any Assembly meeting, from now onwards till 18.01.2016.

Court then ordered:

Having heard learned counsel for the rival parties, we are satisfied, that it would be just and appropriate, if proceedings of the Assembly are not held from now onwards till 18.01.2016.

Mohit Singh

Mohit Singh is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

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