Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Friday raised serious concerns over the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) role in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee election.
The court questioned the “tearing hurry” to hold the elections, despite the absence of the MCD Mayor, and expressed doubts about the legality of the LG’s actions, according to media reports.
A bench led by Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan reprimanded the LG for his use of executive powers under Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act to direct the election of the Standing Committee’s sixth member.
The SC bench asked Sanjay Jain, representing the Delhi LG, what was the “tearing hurry” to hold the MCD elections in the absence of Mayor Shelly Oberoi. The apex court further questioned the LG’s decision to exercise Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, stating that it is not to be used for “interfering with legislative functions.”
The bench stressed that such actions could undermine democratic principles if executive powers are used to interfere with elections.
The Supreme Court has postponed further elections related to the Standing Committee until after it reviews the matter, citing concerns over both the LG’s and the mayor’s conduct.
Shelly Oberoi approached the Supreme Court challenging the election of the sixth member of the MCD standing committee, which was held on September 27.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted it alleging that the process was contrary to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.
A major contention highlighted in the mayor’s petition is the decision to appoint an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer rather than the mayor as the presiding officer of the election.
