Gauhati High Court rejects writ against Governor's Rule in BTC

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A single-judge bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Justice Achinta Malla Bujor Barua has ruled that the assumption of charge of the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) administration by Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi is a right decision taken by the State government, so is the appointment of Rajesh Prasad as the Administrator of the Council by the Governor. The bench has rejected the writ petition.

The five-year term of the BTC expired on April 27, 2020. This led Governor Prof Jadish Mukhi to take charge of the BTC administration, in exercise of the power under paragraph 16 (2) of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and had appointed Rajesh Prasad as the BTC Administrator on the same day. It was, however, challenged by former BTC Deputy Speaker Nerswn Bodo and former BTC EM Jagadish Sarkar with a writ petition in the Gauhati High Court on April 29, 2020. The two petitioners prayed for extension of the term of the former BTC Council on the ground that the taking of charge of the Council by the Governor and appointment of Rajesh Prasad as the BTC Administrator by the Governor are illegal.

The writ was heard for around 40 days by the High Court from May 11 to June 26, 2000 when the final hearing was held. The ruling of the petition was delivered by Justice Achinta Malla Bujor Barua on July 13, 2020.

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