SC rejects petitions against AP's bifurcation

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a batch of nine petitions challenging the Centre’s move to introduce in Parliament the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill for creation of Telangana.

The SC bench comprising justices H L Dattu and S A Bobde refused to stay tabling of the Telangana Bill in Parliament, saying it did not want to interfere at this stage. It also declined to pass any direction to the Centre on a batch of petitions challenging the bifurcation. The bench referred to its earlier order of November 18, 2013, when it had said that it was premature at that time to entertain any petition relating to the opposition to the bifurcation of the state. "We do not see any change in the stage between November 18, 2013 and today. So we decline to interfere at this stage," the bench said. However, it clarified that the averment made in the writ petitions are open to be entertained at an appropriate stage.

The petitions were filed by TDP MLA L Payyavulu Keshav and others. The petitioners had contended that the process of bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was unconstitutional. They claimed that the proposed division was in violation of the principle of federalism.

The petitioners had questioned whether Parliament could enact a law such as the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill after the same was rejected by both the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Council. They also stated that the Bill was invalid on the ground that it does not contain the statement of objects and reasons and a financial memorandum. They also raised several other objections over bifurcation.