The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to accept the Bihar government’s plea seeking exemption for its Chief Secretary from personally appearing before it on November 3 in connection with the stray dogs case, citing the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta firmly turned down the request, observing that the ongoing election process was no ground for exemption. “There is Election Commission which would take care. Don’t worry. Let the Chief Secretary come,” the bench told the counsel representing Bihar.

The state’s counsel had mentioned the matter before the bench, saying, “Your lordships have directed all the defaulting Chief Secretaries to remain personally present on (November) 3. There is election in the state of Bihar.”

In respo

See Full Page