Centre Likely to Move to Supreme Court to Challenge HC Order

The Centre is likely to move the Supreme Court "at the earliest" to challenge the Uttarakhand High Court's order.

NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to move the Supreme Court "at the earliest" to challenge the Uttarakhand High Court's order quashing the proclamation of President's rule in the state and revival of the Congress government headed by Harish Rawat.

>> President's Rule Set Aside in Uttarakhand; HC Orders Fresh Floor Test >> HC Verdict is Victory for People of Uttarakhand: Rawat

Even though the lengthy order of the division bench of the High Court is likely to be available only early next week, the Central government plans to move the apex court to challenge it "at the earliest" armed with the operating part of the directive and seek a stay, official sources said.

Terming the situation arising out of the High Court order as "extra-ordinary", sources said it is a matter of time before the Centre moves the Supreme Court. Delivering a major blow to the Modi government, the Uttarakhand High Court today quashed the proclamation of President's rule in the state and revived the Congress government headed by Harish Rawat, who has been asked to prove his majority in the Assembly on April 29.

Coming down heavily on the Centre for the March 27 proclamation under Art 356, a division bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice K M Joseph said the imposition of President's rule was contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.