President's Rule in Uttarakhand to continue, Supreme Court stays high court order

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed till April 27 the judgment of the Uttarakhand High Court quashing the imposition of President's rule, giving a new turn to the continuing political drama in the state by restoring the Central rule there.Before passing a brief order, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh recorded an undertaking given by attorney general Mukul Rohatgi that the "Union of India shall not revoke the Presidential proclamation till the next date of hearing".The apex court clarified that it was keeping in abeyance the judgment of the High Court till the next date of hearing on April 27 as a measure of balance for both the parties as the copy of the verdict was not made available to the parties.While listing the matter for hearing on April 27, the bench said that the High Court shall provide the judgment passed on Thursday to the parties by April 26 and on the same date the copy of the verdict shall also be placed before the apex court.The Supreme Court's stay has the effect of undoing the revival of the Congress government led by Harish Rawat by the High Court judgement of Thursday.During the hearing, the bench also observed that as a matter of propriety the High Court should have signed the verdict so that it would be appropriate for it to go into the appeal.The apex court issued notice to Harish Rawat and chief seceretary of the state on the petition by Centre challenging the quashing of Presidential proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution in the state.On Thursday, in a major embarrassment to the Modi government, the Uttarakhand high court had struck down the decision to impose central rule in the state and restored chief minister Harish Rawat's government.The court had asked Harish Rawat to face a floor test on April 29 to prove his majority.The court, which had said on Wednesday that "even the President can be terribly wrong", delivered an order laced with strongly critical remarks about central rule being the last resort and that dismissal of elected governments bred cynicism in citizens.Declaring that the "draconian 356" should not have been imposed, a bench of Chief Justice KM Jospeh and Justice V K Bist said, "The said party (BJP) was a direct beneficiary of Article 356, which was not justified as there was no riot or violence in the state. The central government has to work in a completely non-partisan manner and without bias."It added, "In the present case which was set into motion with March 18 as day one and saw a proclamation being issued in less than 10 days brings to the fore a situation where 356 has been used contrary to the law laid down by the apex court. The material (considered for the proclamation) has been found wanting and justifies judicial review."(With inputs from PTI)