Satluj-Yamuna Link: DJB removes lawyer from panel for wrong submission in SC

New Delhi: Delhi Jal Board today removed counsel Suresh Tripathy from its panel for presenting "wrong" submission in Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case in Supreme Court.

"It should be noted that DJB does not agree with the written submissions filed by the counsel in the Supreme Court... The Delhi Jal Board has accordingly decided to remove Suresh Tripathy, who was appointed by the previous Congress government, from its panel," according to a DJB statement.

DJB also said it will approach the Supreme Court with the request to allow time to file fresh written submissions.

In his submission before the apex court, Tripathy had said that Delhi government is in favour of Haryana in the SYL canal case even as DJB said he did not have any permission from the authority.

"The Delhi Jal Board has noted with concern the contents of the written submissions filed by counsel Suresh Tripathy in the Supreme Court on April 8...

"These written submissions were filed by the counsel without the same having been approved by any Authority in the Delhi Jal Board," the note said.

DJB has cross-checked that the contents of these written submissions are more or less a repeat of the stand taken by the then Congress government in 2006, when an affidavit was filed in the apex court.

On April 4, the hearing had seen Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir siding with Haryana and the bench had asked Attorney General or Solicitor General to clarify the Centre's stand on Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 to avoid the completion of the canal in its territory.