'How is unelected minister continuing for over six months?' SC raps Bihar govt

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Bihar government over the continuation of Panchayati Raj minister Deepak Prakash, asking the state to explain how he remained in office beyond the six-month constitutional limit without being elected to the state legislature.The matter was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, which observed that the issue involved a pure question of law under Article 164(4) of the Constitution.Mentioning the plea, the petitioner's counsel said, "My Lord, it is now over six months and he continues as a minister."Counsel appearing for the Bihar government informed the court that the matter was already listed for hearing on August 27."The matter is already listed on August 27. I leave it to Your Lordships," the state's counsel said.Responding to the submissions, CJI Surya Kant remarked, "This is a pure question of law.