SC Directs Early Hearing for Plea Against Central Vista, Matter Back in Delhi HC

The Supreme Court has allowed petitioners to make request for early listing of the plea challenging the Central Vista project construction before the Delhi High Court.

The bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari said, “We hope and trust that upon such request being made, the High Court would consider the same appropriately and pass necessary orders.”

The petitioners Anya Malhotra and Sohail Hashmi had earlier approached the Delhi High Court but the matter was adjourned to May 17 without having issued notice. Thus, the petitioner s came before the Supreme Court with the grievance that the adjournment was long and the matter was urgent.

"I really cannot understand how a construction can be an essential activity when we have a health emergency...it is endangering lives of workers... putting pressure on the health system", Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra argued on behalf of the petitioners.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said “there seems to be some interest operating” while pointing out that a PIL was filed and SLP is filed against adjournment raises questions.

The court refused to delve into the question of petitioners’ credentials and also refused to look into the merits of the case as the high court is seized of the matter.

“since according to Shri Siddharth Luthra, learned Senior Counsel, there is an extreme urgency in the matter, we give liberty to Shri Siddharth Luthra, to either himself, or through any other counsel on behalf of the present petitioners, make a request before the Chief Justice of the High Court on Monday i.e. 10.05.2021 to take up the matter at an early date,” the bench said in its order.

The Special Leave Petition was accordingly disposed of.

The order may be read here:

Courtesy: Sabrang India