New Delhi, July 31 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Bihar government on Deepak Prakash continuing to be a minister without being a member of any of the two houses in the state's bicameral legislature, giving it till August 4 to respond.

"How is the state retaining a Minister if he is not elected?" asked Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant after the court was told that the state is yet to file a response to a petition challenging Prakash's reappointment on May 7 this year.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bihar resident Rakesh Kumar Singh challenging Prakash's reappointment and continuance under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, which permits a non-legislator to serve as a minister fo...