In a unanimous verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over services.
Hearing the Centre versus the Delhi government over the issue of demarcation of power, a constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said an elected government needs to have control over the administration.
It refused to agree with the 2019 judgement of Justice Ashok Bhushan that the city government has no power over the issue of services.
AAP leaders hailed the judgment calling it a victory of the people of Delhi
Here are the Highlights on the Supreme Court verdict:
Civil servants are required to be "politically neutral" and under the administrative control of ministers for implementing the day-to-day decisions of the elected government, the Supreme Court said on Thursday.
The Centre and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD) government share a unique federal relationship and they need to cooperate with each other to enhance the spirit of federalism and democracy, the Supreme Court said on Thursday.
The Arvind Kejriwal government removed the Secretary of the Delhi government's Services department Ashish More this evening. The transfer appeared to be the first of many, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warning of a major administrative reshuffle.
Speaking at a press conference shortly after the judgment, Mr Kejriwal indicated that there will be action against officials who "obstruct" public works. "The vigilance will now be with us. Disciplinary proceedings can be initiated against officers who do not work properly," the Chief Minister had said.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday said the party respects the Supreme Court verdict that gave the AAP government legislative and executive powers over the administration of services, and claimed that a transfer-posting industry will come up in the city.
Citing the verdict, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated there would be large-scale transfer of officers in the Delhi government now, the BJP leader alleged.
"Big Lesson For BJP": AAP's Raghav Chadha To NDTV On Court Order On Delhi
Big Win For Delhi Government In Supreme Court In Tussle vs CentreIn a huge win for the Delhi government in a drawn-out tussle for power with the Centre, the Supreme Court today said in a democratic form of government, the real power of administration must rest on the elected arm of the government.
सत्यमेव जयते!
- Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 11, 2023
सालों की लड़ाई के बाद, सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने @ArvindKejriwal सरकार को उसका हक़ दिलवाया है।
दिल्ली की जनता के काम में अब कोई अड़ंगा नहीं लगा पाएगा। ये ऐतिहासिक निर्णय दिल्ली की जनता की जीत है।
अब दिल्ली दुगनी गति से तरक़्क़ी करेगी। सबको बधाई! https://t.co/Sovpxcy74c
Satyamev Jayate
- Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) May 11, 2023
Delhi wins✌️
Hon'ble Supreme Court's landmark judgement sends a stern message that officers working with Govt of Delhi are meant to serve people of Delhi through the elected government & not unelected usurpers parachuted by Centre to stall governance, namely LG.
Lt Governor shall be bound by the decision of NCTD over services apart from land, police and law and order, Supreme Court said.
The limited issue is whether Centre has legislative and executive control over Services. We have dealt with 2018 constitution bench judgment. We are unable to agree with view of Justice Bhushan in split judgement in 2019, CJI DY Chandrachud said.
Arvind Kejriwal vs Lt Governor On Services: Supreme Court Verdict Today
