SC to hear PIL on Telangana issue

What appears to be a tricky issue having far-reaching consequences on the Telangana tangle, the apex court on Monday took up a public interest litigation which sought to frame guidelines for the Government to go into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. 

The Supreme Court decision to hear the petition assumes significance as the petitioner seeks to challenge the validity of the government action in appointing the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission to look into the creation of the proposed Telangana state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan posted the PIL for hearing after four weeks in which it has been contended that no constitutional power can be exercised arbitrarily and at will without there being any guidelines or basis for the formation of a state. 

The petition, filed by K Srinivas Reddy and represented by his lawyer Harish Salve, is scheduled for hearing on April 5. It sought a clarification under Article 3 and 4 which can empower the Government to carve out a state.