Setback for Jagan as SC dismisses petition

In a huge set-back to chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Andhra Pradesh government to remove the existing colours of the Gram Panchayat buildings in the state that resembles the colour of the ruling party’s flag within four weeks.

Directing the state government to remove the existing colour on the Gram Panchayat buildings within four weeks from today, a bench comprising Justice L. Nageswara Rao, Justice

Krishna Murari and Justice Ravindra Bhat said, “Any attempt to disobey the directions issued by courts would be subversive to the Rule of Law.”

The court said that any defiance of court order by the executive would erode the public confidence in judiciary.

“Public confidence in the judiciary will be eroded if its orders are not obeyed”, said Justice Nageswara Rao in the order passed today while disposing of Andhra Pradesh government’s appeal against the state high court order directing it (the State government) to remove the colours on Gram Panchayat buildings that resembled the colours on the flag of the ruling party.

The court further said that as the time for the compliance of the March 10, 2020, high court order has been extended, the contempt proceedings initiated by the high court are closed.

Finding no infirmity with the high court’s March 10, 2020 order, the top court today said, “We have examined the matter carefully. We are of the opinion that the judgment of the high court does not warrant interference. There is no ambiguity in the direction issued by the high court by its judgment dated 10.03.2020 that any colour which is similar to the flag of any political party should not be used for painting the Gram Panchayat buildings.”

Holding that the March 10, 2020, directions of the High court were “clear,” the court today said, “The high court is right in holding that the respondents (Andhra Pradesh government) have made a deliberate attempt in circumventing the directions issued on 10.03.2020.”