Supreme Court upholds Delhi Chief Secretary’s tenure extension by Centre

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, Nov 29: The Supreme Court affirmed and upheld on Wednesday the Central government’s choice to prolong the term of Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar by six months. The tenure of the incumbent Delhi Chief Secretary was initially set to conclude on November 30.

The apex court stated that the Center’s decision was “not violative of Constitutional distribution of powers” during the course of the hearing.

Centre empowered to extend tenure

The top court stated that the Centre has the authority to prolong the term of the Chief Secretary, who oversees public order, land, and police matters that fall outside the purview of the Delhi government.

The court further stated that the decision had its basis on a “prima facie view” and that the five-judge constitution bench would assess the legal and constitutional principles.

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SC asked Centre for legal provisions

 The Supreme Court’s decision came a day after the Centre informed the court that it planned to temporarily prolong Naresh Kumar’s term. The Solicitor General, speaking on behalf of the Center, was then questioned by the top court bench on the legal framework that the government intended to use. The Supreme Court bench subsequently inquired of the Solicitor General, representing the Centre, about the legal provisions under which the government planned to proceed with the extension.

The Solicitor General informed a three-judge bench that “Till a new appointment is done, we intend to extend the tenure of the present Chief Secretary”.

In response, the bench queried the Solicitor General, stating, “Under what power are you extending the tenure of the Chief Secretary? Bring us that law. Or you make a fresh appointment.”

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The Solicitor General informed the bench that a fresh appointment will be made and that the extension was just temporary.

The Centre was granted until Wednesday to furnish reasons for its decision to extend Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s tenure by an additional six months.