Himachal govt moves SC against high court ruling on Chief Parliamentary Secretaries
- Second soldier from Mandi in Himachal martyred within a week in line of duty - November 15, 2024
- Himachal govt moves SC against high court ruling on Chief Parliamentary Secretaries - November 15, 2024
- Hindu outfits again call for mass protest in Mandi on November 19, seek to reclaim mosque land - November 14, 2024
MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh government has challenged in the Supreme Court the decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court declaring null and void the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS).
The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court on Thursday evening against the high court order nullifying the Himachal Pradesh CPS/PS Act, 2006.
BJP pushes to terminate Assembly membership
The original petitioners, BJP leaders, have filed a caveat to ensure they are heard during the Supreme Court proceedings. Meanwhile, ambiguity surrounds the legislative membership status of the ousted CPS appointees, with both political factions interpreting the high court’s decision differently. Legal experts remain divided on whether the assembly memberships should be vacated.
Upon returning from Dharamshala on Thursday afternoon, Chief Minister Sukhu met with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and legal advisers, to review the situation. Advocate General Anoop Rattan left for Delhi early Thursday to file the appeal. Sources confirmed that the government was seeking a stay order from the Supreme Court on the high court ruling. In a counter-strategy, BJP’s legal team is working on measures to push for the termination of legislative memberships of the six former CPS appointees.
Cabinet meeting to finalise next course of action
A follow-up meeting with officials has been scheduled for Friday at the Chief Minister’s residence, followed by a cabinet meeting on Saturday. Chief Minister Sukhu stated that the cabinet would discuss the High Court’s ruling and determine the government’s next steps.
Anticipating the state government’s appeal, senior BJP advocates have already filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure that their perspective is included in the case proceedings. The caveat is a legal notice allowing the petitioners to be heard before any decision is rendered.
In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhu indicated that the government’s ultimate response would depend on a full review of the high court’s order and discussions within the cabinet. Addressing the media, he said he had yet to read the complete order on the potential removal of six CPS appointees over office-of-profit issues raised by the BJP.
