Contending that the Centre has divided the people of Andhra Pradesh by announcing the process for formation of a Telangana State, an advocate has moved the Supreme Court for a direction to stay the process.
A three-judge Bench, comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.M. Lodha and B.S. Chauhan posted the petition filed by Srikakulam-based advocate Bondada Purushottam Yadav for hearing on February 22.
The petition cited Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s announcement on December 9, 2009 on initiating the process. On December 23, another announcement was made that the Centre would take steps to involve all concerned in the process. On February 3, a committee headed by the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice B.N. Srikrishna, was constituted for this purpose.
The petitioner submitted that by making such announcements through executive orders, the Centre had divided the people of Andhra Pradesh, resulting in disturbance and violence and damage to public property. He sought a direction to restrain the Centre from initiating the process and to identify those responsible for causing damage to public property.
