As per case facts, an initial PIL sought to quash Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulations, 2012, and Rules, 2012, along with related notifications and permits, arguing the State lacked ... legislative competence. After the petitioners withdrew, the High Court continued it as a suo motu PIL. The central legal question arose whether the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly had the competence under Article 371-A of the Constitution to enact these laws, given that petroleum and natural gas fall under the Union List (Entry 53 of Seventh Schedule). Finally, the Court concluded that this dispute between the Union Government and the State of Nagaland, regarding legislative competence, falls squarely within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India under Article 131(a) of the Constitution. The High Court, exercising judicial self-restraint and adhering to Public Interest Litigation principles, declined to adjudicate this constitutional issue, stating that PILs are not intended for such inter-governmental disputes, especially when the Union is fully capable of approaching the Supreme Court. The PIL was therefore closed, allowing the Union to challenge the regulations and rules at the appropriate higher forum.