WP(C) 1102/2008 BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA. By these applications, a prayer has been made to dispense with the personal appearance of the Secretary to the Government of India, Home Depar tment Mr. Madhukar Gupta. He was directed to answer the queries made by this Cou rt in this proceeding. Queries were not answered by filing any affidavit. In th e applications, it has been stated that the Joint Secretary (Foreign Division), Union Home Ministry Mr. Ashim Khurana along with the Joint Secretary (North Eas t) Mr. Naveen Verma will meet the demand of the situation as they are the compe tent officers to answer the queries made. In paragraph 6 and 7 of the applicatio n, the following statements have been made. 6. That your humble petitioner begs to submit that the Join t Secretary, Foreigners Division of the Union Home Ministry is the competent aut hority to reply the queries made by the Hon’ble Court as he is the proper author ity to deal with such matter and as such he could be substituted in place of U nion Home Secretary to answer the queries made by the Hon’ble Court. 7. That your humble petitioner begs to submit that the Union Home Secretary monitors and co-ordinates all issues connected with the law and order and int ernal security throughout the country on a regular and continuous basis. Hence, it is prayed that his personal presence may be dispensed with and Joint Secreta ries dealing with Foreigners and North East (including Assam) issues in the Mini stry of Home Affairs and are fully conversant could be deputed to assist the Ho n’ble Court and to clarify the stand of the Central Government and to meet the q ueries made by the Hon’ble Court. In the earlier affidavit filed, contrary to the present stand, it was the stand that the Secretary was not in a position to appear personally a s his continuous presence was necessary due to declaration of the election resul ts. Such contradictory stand on the part of the officers of the Home Ministry is unfortunate and cannot be appreciated. However, considering the matter in i ts entirety, and that the Joint Secretary (Foreign Division), Union Home Ministr y Mr. Ashim Khurana along with the Joint Secretary (North East) Mr. Naveen Verma are personally present and have made their submissions relating to the queries, the personal appearance of the Secretary is dispensed with at this stage. Misc. Cases stand disposed of.