Supreme Court tells M.P. govt to respond to Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s plea by March 18

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the Kamal Nath government time till 10.30 a.m. on March 18 to respond to a petition filed by former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and nine other BJP MLAs seeking a vote of confidence to be held on the floor of the Legislative Assembly against the Congress ruling dispensation in the State.

A Bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta said the “urgency” of the situation demanded a hearing on March 18 itself.

“We will have to issue notice. The appropriate thing would be to issue a short notice and keep it for tomorrow,” Justice Chandrachud orally addressed senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi for Mr. Chouhan and nine other MLAs.

“Issue notice in view of the urgency of the situation and notice is returnable at 10.30 am at March 18. Liberty to serve the notice through email,” the Supreme Court ordered.

The court also gave liberty to serve notice to 16 MLAs have also tendered their resignations.

The petition has arraigned the Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Principal Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, State of Madhya Pradesh through Chief Secretary and the Governor as respondents.

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/supreme-court-tells-mp-govt-to-respond-to-shivraj-singh-chouhans-plea-by-march-18/article31089248.ece