V.Ramasubramanian - (1.) In spite of directions given by this Court vide order dated 10.02.2020, the following States are stated to have not filed their counter affidavits/documents: (i) NCT of Delhi; (ii) State of Maharashtra; (iii) State of Manipur; (iv) State of Odisha; (v) State of Goa; (vi) State of Kerala; (vii) State of Sikkim; (viii) State of Telangana; and (ix) U.T. of Ladakh. During the course of hearing, Mr. Pukhrambam Ramesh Kumar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State of Manipur submits that as the erstwhile advocate - Mr.L.Roshmani has expired and he has recently been appointed as the standing counsel for the said State, he could not file the counter affidavit on behalf of the State within the prescribed period. Accepting the submission of the learned counsel, we allow him to file the counter affidavit during the course of the day along with costs of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh).
(2.) Mr. G.Prakash, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State of Kerala also submits that due to some personal difficulty, he could not file the counter affidavit on behalf of the State. We accordingly, exempt him from paying the costs, as directed by this Court vide order dated 10.02.2020, and direct him to file the counter affidavit within a week.
(3.) The States of Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa, Sikkim, NCT of Delhi and U.T. of Ladakh are directed to file their counter affidavits within a period of one week from today after depositing costs of Rs.5,00,000/-(Rupees five lakhs), in addition to the costs already imposed by this Court vide order dated 10.02.2020, before the Registrar (Judl.) of this Court.;