Supreme Court Approves Extension of Delhi Chief Secretary’s Tenure for 6 Months

In a setback for the Delhi government, the Supreme Court has approved the center’s proposal to extend the tenure of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar by six months. This comes despite the Delhi government’s opposition to the extension, citing a pending challenge to the ordinance that gives the ruling BJP control over bureaucrats in the national capital. The Delhi government argued that the center cannot make appointments, especially to senior positions, without consultation.

However, a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled that a six-month extension does not violate any law. The court agreed with the center’s argument that it has the authority to transfer and appoint bureaucrats in the Delhi government until the ordinance is reversed.

Last week, the Supreme Court directed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to discuss a shortlist of candidates provided by the union government. The Chief Justice proposed that the LG and center propose a panel of names, from which the Delhi government can choose.

The center submitted its proposal to extend Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s tenure on Tuesday. However, the court questioned why the center was “stuck with only one person” and suggested making a fresh appointment.

“This man is superannuating. Let this man superannuate. You make a fresh appointment,” the Chief Justice said before instructing the center to provide reasons for the extension.

This development is the latest point of contention between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and the BJP at the center.