The Delhi High Court on Monday expressed concerns over the Delhi state government’s delay in presenting several Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the assembly. Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the case, highlighted the government’s protracted inaction, suggesting it cast doubts on its intentions.
The petition, filed by BJP MLAs including Opposition leader Vijender Gupta, Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Kumar Bajpai, and Jitendra Mahajan, called for the speaker to schedule an assembly session specifically to discuss these CAG reports. The petitioners argued that the government had not only delayed the tabling of these reports but had also neglected their duty to facilitate a timely discussion in the assembly.
During the proceedings, Justice Datta remarked on the stark timeline of events, criticizing the government’s sluggish response. “The way you dragged your feet raises doubts about your bonafides,” Justice Datta stated, emphasizing that the reports should have been promptly forwarded to the speaker for discussion.
The government’s senior counsel countered, questioning the timing of the petition and labeling it as politically motivated. Additionally, they raised concerns about the Lieutenant Governor’s office making the reports public and circulating them among newspapers, which could complicate the legal and procedural aspects of the case.
Justice Datta acknowledged the complexity of directing the assembly speaker to convene a session, especially given the proximity to upcoming elections, noting that such decisions typically fall within the speaker’s prerogative.
