New Delhi: The appointment of special public prosecutors in cases related to the riots in northeast Delhi earlier this year may lead to a fresh set of confrontation between the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, with the latter considering public prosecutors suggested by the Delhi Police.
According to official sources, while the Delhi Cabinet has agreed on a list of public prosecutors, the LG is likely to approve the appointments of the special public prosecutors suggested by the Delhi Police.
“No official announcement has been made by the LG till now. However, Delhi Police have sent a list of special public prosecutors to appear for the cases related to the riots,” an official told IANS.
The conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the LG’s office has been in the public domain ever since Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his cabinet colleagues staged a ‘dharna’ inside the Raj Niwas for about 10 days in June 2018.
The conflict was resolved after the Supreme Court on July 4, 2018 ruled that the LG was bound by the “aid and advice” of the Delhi government, giving powers back to the city government, lack of which had created administrative issues between the two.
According to official sources, the selection of special public prosecutors may start a fresh confrontation between the two.
“Last month, Delhi Police had sent a list of special public prosecutors to represent them in the riots-related cases to the AAP government. However, it did not agree with the names and created a list of its own,” the official said.
According to the law, while the Delhi government has the power to appoint special public prosecutors as per the SC order, the LG can invoke Article 239A of the Indian Constitution.
Also, in case of difference of opinion between the two sides, the matter can be referred to the President of India.
“This is not the first time such a conflict has emerged between the government and the LG’s office. The final decision will be taken in the next Cabinet meeting,” a government official told IANS.
Communal riots broke in the national capital in the last week of February, killing over 50 people and injuring hundreds.
