Blow to Centre, High Court restores Rawat Govt in Uttarakhand

In a major setback to the central government, the Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday set aside the imposition of President's Rule in the hill state. After two consecutive days of hearing on a matter filed by ousted chief minister Harish Rawat, the court said the proclamation of central rule in the state stood null and void.

The High Court, which heard the petition for two days, said material considered for imposing President's rule has been found wanting and ordered  fresh floor test on April 29.  The court further said that the Article 356 was imposed in Uttarakhand contrary to law laid down by Supreme Court. In a blow to the Centre, the court said that status quo as on date of proclamation of President's rule should be restored. It means the Government led by Harish Rawat will revive.
The High Court has also rejected the Centre's plea for stay. "We won't stay our own judgement. You can go to Supreme Court and get it stayed," the High Court told the Centre. The court was particularly harsh on the the nine dissident Congress MLAs and said they have to pay the price of committing Constitutional sin of defection by being disqualified.
The court said that the fate of 9 Congress MLAs was entirely irrelevant and extraneous to imposition of President's rule.
The Opposition parties welcomed the court order. Congress leader and former finance minister Indira Hridayesh said her party "saluted the judiciary for upholding truth and law".  The Uttarakhand High Court's decision to set aside President's Rule in the state is "a huge embarrassment to the Modi government", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.