Chief Justice’s statement uncalled for: Khalap

August 14: Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap today termed as “very unfortunate” the observations by the judges of Patna high court suggesting that Bihar presented a fit case for President’s rule and stressed that courts should not overstep their jurisdiction.

“The courts should refrain from making comments regarding matters that are in the realm of politics. Imposition of Central rule (under Article 356 of the constitution) is a political decision,” he said.

“They (the courts) can only judge the validity of such the decision,” the Law Minister said.

The remarks of the Patna high court on Tuesday that there was a collapse of administrative machinery that warranted imposition of President’s rule in the state had caused a furore in Parliament.