Chief Justice Uses ‘Not Before Me’ In Amaravati Case

Jagan Government’s Special Leave Petition over High Court’s verdict on Amaravati came to a hearing today in the Supreme Court. The matter came before Chief Justice of India UU Lalit-led bench this morning.

The lawyers on the behalf of the Amaravati farmers informed the Chief Justice that he earlier had given a legal opinion on the issue.

Justice Lalit decided to recuse himself from hearing the case and asked to list the case before another bench without him.

Justice Lalit was the lawyer previously in Jagan’s cases. YSR Congress supporters were hoping that Lalit would favor the Government on this issue.

But then, the upright Chief Justice used ‘Not Before Me’.

“We will list the matter before a three judges bench. Once there is a reference order it has to be looked into by a three-judge bench,” he passed the order.

UU Lalit is retiring on November 8th. So, in all probability, the case will not come to a hearing during his tenure.