SC permits Centre to seek reference of Delhi govt-LG row to larger bench

The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the Central government to file additional submissions seeking reference of the Delhi-Centre power dispute to a larger bench of nine judges.

As a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud commenced hearing on the vexatious Centre-Delhi government row over control of services, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, sought the nod to file an additional note for reference of the matter to a larger bench.

Please permit me to file a two-page note...My note will also contain a prayer for reference (of the case to a larger bench), the law officer said.

The issue of reference was never argued. We are in rejoinder (hearing rejoinder submissions). Mr Singhvi (AM Singhvi for Delhi government) would have finished yesterday. How can you argue reference now, the CJI observed.

The contours of federalism between the Centre and the union territory needed a re-look, Mehta said, adding the reference to a larger benc