"Constitutional duty of govt to place CAG reports before assembly": Advocate Anil Soni

New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI): Hours after the Delhi High Court highlighted the AAP government's delay in tabling Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, Advocate Anil Soni stated that it is constitutionally mandatory for the government to present the reports before the assembly.
On Delhi HC denying ordering a special sitting of Delhi assembly to discuss CAG report, advocate Anil Soni told ANI, "...The Court held that it is very imperative and mandatory, it's a constitutional duty of the govt to place the CAG reports before the assembly... Now, it is upon the Delhi govt itself; if it feels that the public should know about the health of the govt - they should place the report before the assembly before the assembly elections..."
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court, in its ruling, declined to direct the calling of a special session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to discuss the reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the lead-up to the upcoming Assembly elections.
However, a bench of Justice Sachin Datta noted the inordinate delay on the part of the Delhi government in tabling the reports.
The Court emphasised that tabling the CAG reports before the Delhi Legislative Assembly is a mandatory constitutional obligation.
The plea filed by BJP Vijender Gupta petition by several BJP MLAs that the 14 CAG reports linked to policy initiatives of the Delhi government be tabled at the State Assembly.
Senior Advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, representing the Assembly Speaker, argued that the court should not issue directions to the Speaker, questioning whether it would serve any meaningful purpose given that only 20 days remained in the current Assembly's term, making it impractical to follow the procedures outlined under the Rules.
Nandrajog also responded to the BJP MLAs' plea, asserting that it was not a case of fundamental rights violation and that courts generally intervene only in exceptional circumstances when such violations occur.
Previously Delhi High Court had criticised the Delhi Government for its delay in addressing the CAG reports, stating, "The way you have dragged your feet raises doubts about your bona fides."
The court further emphasised, "You should have promptly forwarded the reports to the Speaker and initiated a discussion in the House."
The bench of Justice Sachin Datta earlier also questioned the Delhi government's handling of the CAG reports, stating, "The timeline is clear; you've dragged your feet to prevent the session from happening." The court further remarked, "The delay in sending the reports to the LG and your handling of the matter raises doubts about your bona fides."
Earlier, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat informed the Court that tabling the CAG reports on city administration in the Assembly would serve no useful purpose, given that its tenure ends in February. The submission was made in response to a petition by seven BJP MLAs regarding the issue of tabling the CAG reports in the Assembly.
The Delhi High Court sought responses from the Delhi Government, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and other respondents regarding a petition filed by BJP MLAs. The petition called for the convening of a special session of the Assembly to present 14 CAG reports.
The Delhi Government informed the Court that all 14 reports had been sent to the Speaker.
Vijender Gupta, the counsel for the BJP MLAs, argued that as a member of the House, it was his right to receive and debate the reports. He urged the Court to direct the Speaker to convene a special session. However, the Court observed that it could not issue an immediate order to the Speaker and stated that both parties would need to be heard before a decision could be made.
The Delhi government opposed the petition, labelling it politically motivated and indicating its intention to file a counter-affidavit. Gupta's counsel countered that the issue was not political but rather about ensuring government accountability, stressing that the matter should be resolved before the election announcements. (ANI)