Chennai: In a setback to Kiran Bedi, the Madras High Court on Tuesday held that the Puducherry Lt Governor "cannot interfere" in the day-to-day affairs of the elected government of the Union Territory. Justice R Mahadevan pronounced the verdict on a petition by K Laksminarayanan, a Congress MLA, challenging two communications issued in January and June, 2017, by the Ministry of Home Affairs "elevating" the power of the administrator.

Madras High Court says, "Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi does not have the power to interfere with the day to day activities of the Union Territory" pic.twitter.com/MSmmpfZEsE

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2019

He also set aside two communications of the Union government elevating the power of the Lt Governor. Allowing the plea, the judge said, "The administrator cannot interfere in the day to day affairs of the government. The decision taken by the Council of Ministers and the Chief Minister is binding on the secretaries and other officials." Laksminarayanan is a legislator from the Raj Bhavan assembly constituency.