Sisodia says L-G ‘misusing’ powers in lawyers matter

nNEWDELHI: Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday described Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s decision to refer to the President the issue of appointment of a panel of prosecutors to argue north-east Delhi riots cases as a “misuse of power”.

“The L-G has certain powers but the Supreme Court had said it should be used in rarest of the rare cases. Choice of advocates to argue the north-east Delhi violence cases shows misuse of power,” Sisodia told reporters.

The L-G’S office did not comment on the reaction by the deputy chief minister.

L-G Baijal had referred the matter to the President on Thursday. On the same day, Baijal also issued an interim order saying till the matter is resolved, the panel of lawyers appointed by the Delhi Police and approved by his office will continue to argue cases.

Earlier this week, the Delhi Cabinet had rejected the panel of lawyers proposed by the Delhi Police, saying it would not help a “free and fair” trial of the cases related to the riots in north-east Delhi.

Tuesday’s Cabinet note, seen by HT, rejected the LG’S view of going with the Delhi Police’s panel on three grounds: allegations against the Delhi Police that its investigation in these cases was biased; lawyers should be independent of the police; and the matter does not qualify as “rarest of the rare” case for the LG to interfere.

“The judiciary has also made adverse remarks against Delhi Police’s investigations on several occasions… Therefore, in order to ensure that all facts are presented before the judges, it is extremely critical that the government advocates are independent of the Police,” it said.