'We're Already Facing Allegations Of Intruding On Executive': Supreme Court On Plea For Union's Article 355 Action In West Bengal

When a petition seeking the Central Government's action in the State of West Bengal as per Article 355 of the Constitution was mentioned, the Supreme Court on Monday impliedly referred to the recent controversy over its direction to the President.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain mentioned the petition before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih. The petitioner sought direction to the Union Government to take action as per Article 355 of the Constitution against "external aggression and internal disturbance" in the State of West Bengal in view of the recent violence in Murshidabad during the protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. Jain sought liberty to file an application in the petition, which is listed tomorrow. He said that there was a need to deploy central forces in the State and sought permission to file an application to bring certain additional facts on record.

While allowing the petitioner to file the application, Justice Gavai said that the Court was already facing allegations of intruding into the legislative and executive domains.

"You want us to issue mandamus directing Union..? As it is, we are alleged of intruding on Parliamentary and Executive functions" , Justice Gavai said.

Justice Gavai was seemingly referring to the recent controversy over the Supreme Court's direction to the President on giving timely assent for Bills. Last week, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had levelled a harsh criticism against the Supreme Court's direction to the President.