Delhi Govt Vs L-G: Supreme Court Appoints Former High Court Judge Interim Chairperson Of DERC

Delhi Govt Vs L-G: The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (left), and Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena (right).

New Delhi: The Supreme Court appointed Justice Jayant Nath, a former Delhi High Court judge, as the temporary head of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on Friday, news agency ANI reported.

The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which was told by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi Government, that the apex court could pick anyone for the post.

Supreme Court appoints former Delhi High Court judge Jayant Nath as the interim chairperson of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). pic.twitter.com/ZUuHbr4XCl

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2023

Given the retired judge's other engagements, the Court further asked the LG and the Chief Minister to inform the honorarium owed to him.

“We request Justice Jayant Nath to be the DERC Chairperson, former Delhi HC judge. Since the judge is amidst other work including arbitration. Since the nature of the appointment is pro tem, the LG and CM shall in consultation with Justice Nath shall notify the honorarium payable,” the bench was quoted by Bar & Bench in its report.

 

The judge was also described as dispassionate and above all controversy by the Court.

 

On July 20, the Supreme Court stated it will appoint a DERC chairperson on an interim hoc basis awaiting a verdict on the Delhi government's petition challenging the lieutenant governor's jurisdiction to make such an appointment.

It was distressed that no one cared about the "headless" institution.

In the midst of a stalemate between the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena over the selection of the DERC chairperson, the Supreme Court stated it will conduct research and appoint someone on a "pro tem basis" to the office.

(With Inputs From Agencies)