The petition had called for the correct interpretation of Article 239 AA of the Constitution, which grants Delhi special status as the National Capital Region under the nominal leadership of a lieutenant-governor.
The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to control the region. Delhi’s partial statehood gives the Centre control over land, the Delhi Police and other important matters. Lawyer Indira Jaising, who represented the Delhi government, had urged the apex court to come to a decision on granting Delhi statehood.
AAP had moved the high court last year, challenging a central notification that had declared that Kejriwal’s authority in Delhi was limited and that he has no say in the appointment of bureaucrats. The Centre had approached the Supreme Court after the high court deemed the notification “suspect”.
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