On the last day of hearing on a petition challenging the imposition of President’s Rule in Uttarakhand, a Division Bench of the High Court told the Centre on Wednesday that though the President decided to impose Central rule, his decision was open to judicial review.
Chief Justice K.M. Joseph said: “The power of judicial review is with courts. It cannot be with the President. In earlier times, courts wouldn’t interfere [in a President’s decision]. There’s nothing such as non-reviewability or absolute power [these days].”
He said the President could be an excellent person “but he can go terribly wrong.” Similarly, judges were also open to judicial review, he said.
The Bench faulted the Congress too. “The Congress has not covered itself with glory on this… If it’s a bluff [on the part of any political party] we shall call it a bluff. We shall not mince words,” the Chief Justice said.
During the arguments, senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there were apprehensions that the Centre could revoke President’s Rule before the court gave its ruling.
The Chief Justice said he hoped the Centre “will not provoke us” by revoking Article 356 before the verdict.


Source: The Hindu