'Can Be Contempt': AAP Govt Moves SC, Alleges Centre Defying Order On Control Over Bureaucrats

Next week, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud plans to constitute a panel to address the matter.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Source : PTI

Delhi government led by AAP on Friday approached the Supreme Court raising their concerns about the Centre's lack of action in transferring their services secretary, which could result in contempt of the court's order that was issued only a day earlier, news agency PTI reported.

The top court on Thursday declared that the Delhi government is authorized to exercise its legislative and executive authorities concerning the management of services, excluding matters relating to police, public order, and land administration.

Next week, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud plans to constitute a panel to address the matter.

The Delhi government's representative, senior advocate A M Singhvi, brought up the matter in front of the chief justice and Justice P S Narasimha, stating that the recent ruling by the supreme court could potentially result in a charge of contempt due to its recentness.

According to Singhvi, Article 141 of the Constitution allows for contempt of court orders, and it is imperative that a bench promptly address such matters.

Hours after the Supreme Court granted the AAP dispensation control over the transfer and posting of officers in the city, Ashish More, who held the position of secretary of the Delhi government's Services Department, was removed from his post on Thursday.

"They are saying we will not transfer anybody. I can file contempt in view of judgement passed yesterday. But it will take time. So kindly list the matter," he was quoted by PTI in its report.

A K Singh, who is a 1995-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the successor of More.

The Chief Justice of India led a five-member panel that delivered a unanimous decision, finally resolving the dispute between the Delhi government and the Central government that had been ongoing for eight years.

Amidst the frequent clashes between the AAP government and the Centre's representative, the lieutenant governor, the apex court stated that a democratically elected government must have authority over civil servants, as otherwise the concept of shared responsibility will suffer negative consequences.