[Delhi Government v LG] Constitution bench hearing case will be "complete green bench"; will not use physical documents/ papers

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the Constitution bench hearing the dispute between the Central and Delhi governments will be a "complete green bench" which would mean that there would be no physical papers, documents, or pleading used by the bench..The bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud told this in open court on Wednesday while listing the case for hearing on September 27."This will be a complete green bench and there will be no papers in this matter," Justice Chandrachud said.He added that the court officials are willing to train lawyers on Saturdays on how to use technology."The secretary and the IT head said that they are willing to train the seniors on how to use technology on Saturdays. But please do not keep papers in this court. So apart from hearing, please let us know if you all need the training, we will organise this," the judge said.Do not circulate any paper compilation in this matter. We can hold a training in conference room in SC on Saturdays, the bench said."We also got training (to a hesitant counsel). It has to start some time," Justice MR Shah weighed in..The Court then passed an order listing the case for directions on September 27. "In the meantime it is anticipated that proceedings before Chief Justice of India-led constitution bench likely to conclude. In case the hearing in CJI court spills over this case will be listed on October 11," the Court clarified.."The secretary and the IT head said that they are willing to train the seniors on how to use technology on Saturdays. But please do not keep papers in this court."Justice DY Chandrachud.The bench also comprising Justices Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha is hearing the dispute between the Central and Delhi governments regarding which government has administrative control over the transfers and postings of officers in Delhi..The Delhi government's case is that the elected government of Delhi has been excluded by the Central government from exercising any administrative control over the important bureaucrats and officers and that the officers are continuing to act on the orders of the Central government through the Lieutenant Governor (LG).In 2018, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had interpreted Article 239AA of the Constitution, which contains special provisions with respect to the National Capital Territory. The peculiar status of the NCT and the powers of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the LG and their interplay were debated in the case.The Court in that judgment had ruled that the LG cannot act independently without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, and has to work harmoniously with the NCT government.The appeals relating to individual aspects including services were then placed before a regular Bench for adjudication based on the Constitution Bench judgment.The regular bench had on April 14, 2019, pronounced its verdict on various individual aspects relating to the tussle between the Delhi government and the LG.However, the two judges on the Bench - Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan - had differed on the issue of 'services' under Schedule VII, List II, Entry 41 of the Constitution of IndiaThe issue considered by the Court was whether the exclusion of “services” relatable to Entry 41 of List II of the Seventh Schedule from the legislative and executive domain of the NCT of Delhi, vide a notification of the Government of India dated May 21, 2015, is unconstitutional and illegal.Since the judges on the Bench differed, that aspect was referred to a larger Bench and it came up before a three-judge bench.The three-judge bench then referred the matter to the Constitution Bench on Centre's request.The primary basis of the prayer to refer it to a five-judge bench was that the majority judgment of the Constitution Bench did not consider purpose and intent of the expression “insofar as any such matter is applicable to Union Territories” as it occurs in Article 239AA(3) of the Constitution, which is the pivotal and crucial aspect of the said provision.