The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to respond to appeals filed by the Aam Aadmi Party government challenging the Delhi High Court's order ruling that the lieutenant governor was the administrative head of the National Capital Region. The top court refused to set aside the high court verdict and gave the Centre six weeks to reply to the notice, ANI reported.

The AAP government's petitions in the apex court also challenged the ruling that the Capital was a Union Territory under the administrative control of its lieutenant governor. In addition to seeking statehood for the Delhi-NCR region, it also wants a direction to whoever hold the lieutenant governor's post to act on the advice of the Delhi Cabinet.

The Arvind Kejriwal government had moved the high court after the Home Affairs Ministry passed a notification on May 21, giving "unprecedented powers" on matters such as public order, police and services to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 15.