New Delhi, May 26, 2023: In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition requesting the inauguration of the new parliament building by President Droupadi Murmu. A vacation Bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and PS Narasimha ruled that the petitioner, advocate CR Jaya Sukin, lacks the necessary standing to file such petitions and further noted that no costs would be imposed on the petitioner.
The Court firmly stated, “What is your locus? We know why you file such petitions. We are not inclined to interfere under Article 32. Be grateful we are not imposing costs.”
Although the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the plea, the Court did not grant the request, stating that allowing withdrawal would grant the petitioner the freedom to approach the High Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, emphasized that such matters were non-justiciable and should not be entertained by the court.
Eventually, after a considerable argument, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petition, ordering its rejection.
The new parliament building is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28. However, advocate CR Jaya Sukin’s plea, filed on the grounds of alleged violation of the Indian Constitution, asserted that the statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on May 18 and the invitations issued by the Secretary General of Lok Sabha for the inaugural function were in violation of constitutional provisions.
The plea highlighted the significance of the President as the First Citizen of India and the head of the institution of parliament. It emphasized that crucial decisions regarding the country were made in the name of the Indian President. Referring to Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, the plea argued that the President is an integral part of the parliament and, therefore, should not be excluded from the inauguration ceremony.
With the Supreme Court dismissing the petition, the plans for the Prime Minister to inaugurate the new parliament building on May 28 remain unchanged.
