Delhi Cabinet Reshuffle: Atishi Gets Law Portfolio After LG Saxena Recalls Pending Files

Delhi Cabinet Reshuffle: Atishi is allocated the Law and Justice department days after LG V K Saxena recalled files related to judicial infrastructure and administration that had been awaiting approval for months.

In a significant reshuffle within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Kailash Gahlot was removed from the Law and Justice portfolio on Friday. This decision comes after Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena recalled files related to judicial infrastructure and administration in the city, which had been pending for months. The Chief Minister's Office has recommended the allocation of the law ministry to Atishi, a proposal that has received the LG's approval, news agency PTI reported officials as revealing.

The General Administration Department (GAD) issued a notification on Friday confirming the transfer of the Law and Justice portfolio from Gahlot to Atishi, PTI reported.

Simultaneously, the charge of the Women and Child Development (WCD) department, currently held by Atishi, has been assigned to Gahlot.

Atishi now holds a total of 13 portfolios, the highest among the ministers in the Kejriwal government. In October, she took over the water department, and in June, she was assigned the charge of the Revenue, Planning, and Finance Departments—portfolios previously held by Gahlot. Gahlot currently oversees the Transport, Home, Administrative Reforms, Women and Child Development, and Information Technology departments.

Delhi LG Saxena Recalled Pending Files After Delay In Clearance

The move comes after LG Saxena recalled files related to courts, judicial infrastructure, expeditious justice delivery, and the administration system in the city due to delays in their clearance by the law minister, PTI reported. The LG has instructed officials to submit files pending with the law minister for up to six months within three days for review and consideration.

A report from the principal secretary (law and justice) revealed that 18 files were pending with the Law minister, with no response to requests for expedited decisions, as per PTI. LG Saxena expressed concern about the significant backlog of essential proposals related to court and judicial administration, highlighting that the delays by the law minister were impeding the administration of justice in the capital.