UP asks SC to constitute larger bench to hear statues row

The Supreme Court said it would consider UP government's plea for referring to a larger bench the controversy relating to construction of Rs 2,600 crore memorial/statues for Dalit icons by Mayawati.

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would consider Uttar Pradesh government’s plea for referring to a larger bench the controversy relating to construction of Rs 2,600 crore memorial/statues for Dalit icons by Mayawati government.

A bench of Justices H S Bedi and A K Patnaik also said it would examine the state’s plea for permission to carry out “maintenance and repairs” at the site where all construction activities has been stayed by the apex court on October 6,2009.

The apex court agreed to look into the two issues after senior counsel Harish Salve,appearing for the state,said a larger bench should examine the issue as certain vital constitutional issues are involved.

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The state was of the view that instead of the apex court reverting the case back to the Allahabad High Court it would be more appropriate if a larger bench of the Supreme Court examines the issue.

The UP government also filed an affidavit seeking permission to carry out “maintenance and repair” works at the site and assured the apex court there would be no further construction activities at the place.

However,senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Rajeev Dhawan,appearing for NGO Gomtinagar Kalyana Sanstha and other petitioners,opposed the plea saying the government would carry out further constructions at the site under the garb of maintenance and repairs.

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