House Session: HC raps Centre,

New Delhi, Jan. 30: The Delhi high court on Tuesday imposed a cost of 5,000 each on the Centre and the Delhi government for not filing their responses on a petition alleging illegal convening of a two- day session of Delhi Assembly last year.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher said despite several opportunities, the Centre and state government, lieutenant governor and the Secretary of Delhi Assembly have not filed their replies to the petition and granted them the last opportunity to place record their response.

During the hearing, Delhi government standing counsel Ramesh Singh and the Union ministry of home affairs counsel sought one more opportunity to file their reply.

The court allowed the plea and said, “Last opportunity is granted subject to payment of cost of 5,000 each by the respondents. The cost shall be paid to the petitioner.”

The judge also made it clear that no further opportunity would be on granted and listed matter for May 17.

Advocate R. P. Luthra, appearing for the petitioner, said despite repeated directions, the authorities have not filed their counter affidavits and should be burdened with cost.

The court was hearing a plea challenging the legality of the two- day winter session of the Assembly held on January 17 - 18, 2017, and the decisions taken during the sitting.

The petition was filed by lawyer Prashant Kumar Umrao, alleging that the the two- day session was held illegally.

The plea, filed through advocate R P Luthra, has claimed that by not inviting the LG to address the Delhi Assembly, the AAP government was "dishonouring" his office.

When the two- day session of the Assembly commenced, Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta had objected to it saying by not inviting new LG Anil Baijal to address the "first session of the year", the government has violated rules.