New Delhi, January 19: The Supreme Court today asked the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh why the apex court should not intervene when “astronomical and inconscionable” amounts of public money is being spent on construction of the Rs 2,600 memorials and statues of Dalit icons in Lucknow.
A bench of Justices H S Bedi and A K Patnaik disagreed with the argument of senior counsel Harish Salve appearing for the state that courts cannot interfere in such matters as it was purely an executive function.
The apex court asked the government whether it should remain a silent spectator if public money for instance meant for construction of primary schools or hospitals is diverted for errecting such memorials.
“”Supposing you spend astronomical and unconscionable amount, should the court not say anything in this regard? There is no difficulty if your are constructing memorials.
–Agencies