AP seeks 4 weeks from SC

Apex court pulls up states for delay in affidavit

Ms Meenakshi Arora, senior counsel and Mr. K Sravan Kumar who appeared for petitioner Congress MLC P. Sudhakar Reddy submitted that the Telangana government has not filed the counter affidavit in the case so far.

When the bench sought response, the counsel for Telangana submitted that they will file affidavit within a week.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday urged the Supreme Court to grant four weeks time to file reply on counter affidavit filed by the Centre with regard to implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act 2014.

A two-member bench of Justice A. K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing a petition by P. Sudhakar Reddy, Congress MLC, seeking to direct the Centre to implement the Act and also to accord special status to Andhra Pradesh as promised by the Prime Minister during the bifurcation of the AP.

Ms. Meenakshi Arora, senior counsel and Mr. K Sravan Kumar appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Telangana government has not filed the counter affidavit in the case so far.

When the bench sought response, the counsel for Telangana submitted that they will file affidavit within a week.

Mr. Sarasani Satyam Reddy, senior counsel appearing for Mr. Gidugu Rudra Raju, Congress leader told the bench that they filed application to implead in the petitions.

He submitted that the Centre has failed to implement its promises made during the bifurcation of AP and several petitions with regard to distribution of assets, division of subordinate judiciary and other related matters have been pending before the Supreme Court for the adjudication.

Reacting to the submissions, the bench directed the judiciary to post the issue before the Chief Justice so that he can pass orders to club all the related matters and to hear together.

While permitting the applicant to implead in the case, the bench adjourned the case for four weeks.