SC rejects UP Govt's plea to continue work on Ambedkar memorial - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Supreme Court (SC) today turned down a plea of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Mayawati to begin the construction and maintenance work at the Rs 2600 crore Ambedkar site in Lucknow. Justice H S Bedi, who was heading the apex court bench, decided to quit hearing the matter, after senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi pleaded for it to be heard by a three-judge bench, including Justice Aftab Alam, who was a part of the case earlier. Justice P S Thakur, who is also a part of the bench, said the petitioner Mithilesh Kumar Singh had not filed his reply, so the UP Government's plea to carry out maintenance work could not be entertained. The court scheduled January 20 as the next date of hearing for the case. Justice Bedi had earlier expressed annoyance with Singhvi, saying it is for the Chief Justice to decide who will be a part of the bench. "It is very unfortunate Dr Singhvi, you have been long enough here to know the procedure. You have been here for longer than many of us. You are very unkind to us," Justice Bedi said. Singhvi later submitted an apology to the court, claiming that he would make the request to the Chief Justice of India following proper procedures.