Delhi govt vs Centre: SC agrees to hear plea pertaining split verdict on control of services

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list for hearing the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's plea on the contentious issue of who should control administrative services in Delhi over the transfers and postings of officers in the national capital.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, mentioned the matter for urgent listing before the apex court. The plea arised out of a 2019 split verdict.

The case was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli by Singhvi. The CJI, while agreeing to list the case, asked the Central government to cooperate with the proceedings.

The case was slated to be heard by a Constitution bench after a three-judge bench had, in May this year, decided to send it to a larger bench on a request by the Centre.

On 14 February 2019, a two-judge Bench of the top court delivered a split verdict on the question of powers of the Government of NCT Delhi (GNCTD) and the Union government over services and referred the matter to a three-judge Bench.

While Justice Ashok Bhushan had ruled the Delhi government has no power at all over administrative services, Justice AK Sikri had, however, said, "Transfer or posting of officers in top echelons of the bureaucracy (joint director and above) can only be done by the Central government and the view of the lieutenant governor would prevail in case of a difference of opinion for matters relating to other bureaucrats."

The two-judge bench which was hearing pleas on six matters pertaining to a long-running conflict between the Centre and the Delhi government had given a unanimous order on the remaining five issues except for the control over services.

Governance of the national capital has witnessed a power struggle between the Centre and the Delhi government since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in 2014.

Prior to February 2019 judgement, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court on 4 July 2018, had laid down the broad parameters for governance of the national capital.

In the landmark verdict, it had unanimously held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state but clipped the powers of the LG saying he has no "independent decision-making power" and has to act on the aid and advice of the elected government.

It had restricted the jurisdiction of the LG to matters pertaining to land, police and public order and on all other matters, it held that the LG would have to act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

(ANI)

Also Read: Teesta Setalvad case: Former judges, bureaucrats slam criticism of SC, say interference in judiciary not acceptable