The issue was mentioned before a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal during the hearing of the Article 370 case.
Sibal told the Court that Dr. Bhat was suspended after he argued against the abrogation of Article 370 in the apex court.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta stated that he himself discovered the development in newspapers. He further stated that there were other issues as Dr. Bhat appears in other courts as well.
“(Then) he should have been suspended earlier.. why now? This is not fair,” Sibal said.
The CJI then requested SG Mehta to speak to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to ascertain the reason behind the professor’s suspension.
The CJI further noted that if the suspension was based on factors unrelated to the professor’s involvement in the case, then it could be deemed acceptable. However, he urged the SG to look into the matter if the suspension was indeed a result of the professor’s appearance in the case.
“Talk to the Lieutenant Governor and find out what can be done. If there is something else then it is (fine). But if due to appearance in this court then please look into it,” he said.
Source: Barandbench
