Delhi Govt Moves SC Accusing Centre of Blocking Transfer of Officer

New Delhi: The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court alleging that the Centre is not implementing its decision to transfer the services secretary, a potential flashpoint between the two governments. The move came a day after the apex court ruled that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over all services, except public order, police and land.

The Delhi government’s senior advocate AM Singhvi mentioned the matter before a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha, stating that the Centre may be held liable for contempt of court. The Delhi government also expressed concerns that its services secretary Ashish More was removed from his post, hours after the Supreme Court gave the AAP government control over the transfer and posting of officers in the city.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by the CJI gave a unanimous verdict on Thursday seeking to put an end to the eight-year-long dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government over the control of services in the national capital. The verdict, which aims to provide the elected government control over bureaucrats, said that without such control, the principle of collective responsibility will be adversely affected.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a comprehensive administrative reshuffle would follow the verdict. A bench will be constituted to hear the Delhi government’s complaint next week. Under Article 141 of the Constitution, the Centre may face contempt of court.