The Bombay High Court on Wednesday rejected the state government’s plea to adjourn the hearing of the legal challenge to AN Roy’s appointment as director general of police
Nothing doing, this is a question of law, responds Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday rejected the state government’s plea to adjourn the hearing of the legal challenge to AN Roy’s appointment as director general of police (DGP) in the wake of last week’s terror attacks in the city.
Advocate general Ravi Kadam requested the court to adjourn the hearing stating that Roy was in the midst of investigation and coordinating with the Central government and international investigation agencies. He added that Roy was under pressure and any speculation regarding him staying in the post could affect his morale and the investigations. HC turned down the plea stating that it was hearing a question of law.
Arguments will continue on December 10.
Senior lawyer, Iqbal Chagla arguing on behalf of DGP Suprakash Chakravorty, who had challenged Roy’s appointment in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), opposed the state’s plea. He said that CAT had struck down Roy’s appointment and he is “hanging by a slender thread” by virtue of the HC’s interim order allowing him to continue in the post.
Labelling Roy to be a “usurper”, Chagla added, “Today we do not have a home minister and the chief minister is in waiting. The state deserves some certainty. It deserves to know who is to be the DGP.”
Chagla also said that the hearing in the court was purely on a legal point - was Roy within the zone of consideration comprising the three senior-most officers in the state?
DGP SS Virk’s lawyer Aspi Chinoy stated that the court hearing did not require the presence of the officers in court and a final decision in the case would only lead to certainty.
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