The Supreme Court on Monday (February 16) made a strong comment on the petition filed against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying that this is not a political forum. The petition demanded action against the Chief Minister’s statement regarding ‘Miya Muslim’ and a video containing an alleged weapon. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant reprimanded the petitioner and asked why he came directly to the Supreme Court when he could have approached the High Court first. The bench said, “What stops you from going to the High Court? Do you want to say that the High Court has also become a political arena?”
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the matter is of constitutional importance and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be constituted against the Chief Minister. On this the court said, “Are you saying that the High Court cannot constitute a SIT?”
The bench also remarked that as elections approach, the tendency to file such petitions directly in the Supreme Court increases, which is unfortunate. The court appealed to all parties to maintain constitutional decorum and self-restraint in the election environment.
Let us tell you that the controversy continues regarding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ‘Miya Muslim’ statements. Critics claim that his statements spread hatred, whereas the Bangladeshi Muslims who have settled illegally in Assam are called Mia Muslims. Recently, a video also went viral on social media, in which he was allegedly shown aiming a gun.
The Supreme Court clarified that if there is a demand for action against a person, the High Courts have constitutional powers. The court said, “Please do not weaken our constitutional High Court. It is not appropriate to bring every case here.” The bench also underlined that high courts have wide powers to issue writs under Article 226 of the Constitution and the prescribed constitutional procedure must be followed to get justice.
In the end, the court said that if the High Court fails to give a verdict in any case or a question of wider national importance arises, then the door of the Supreme Court can be approached, but generally the first forum should be the High Court.
Also read:
BAPS Temple becomes a beacon of world peace, completion of two glorious years!
Bangladesh: From Bhutan PM to Om Birla, preparations for oath ceremony intensified!
Assam: Big blow to Congress, Bhupen Bora resigns from the party
Comments are closed.