Supreme Court sends Arunachal imbroglio to Constitution Bench

The Supreme Court on Thursday referred, to the Constitution Bench, the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly imbroglio involving the fate of the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government and the role of Governor JP Rajkhowa in the handling of the situation triggered by rebel ruling party lawmakers.

A Bench of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice C  Nagappan referred the matter to the Constitution Bench as senior counsel Harish Salve urged the court that the matter being dealt by it involved important issues of constitutional law and powers of the Governor and as such, be referred to the Constitution Bench.

As the Bench did so, senior counsel Fali Nariman, appearing for Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia, allegedly ousted by the rebel Congress lawmakers with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party lawmakers, mentioned the matter before the court of Chief Justice TS Thakur seeking an early hearing by the Constitution Bench.

Urging the Chief Justice to constitute a Bench for hearing of their plea at an early date, Nariman said the hearing had to be before January 21 as there can't be a gap of more than six months between two assembly sessions.