SC Raises Concerns Over Delhi LG’s Use of Emergency Powers in MCD Panel Poll

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the urgency of the lieutenant governor’s (LG) office in exercising executive powers to hold elections for the sixth member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee.

A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and R Mahadevan directed the LG’s office to refrain from conducting elections for the Standing Committee chairman until the court hears Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s plea challenging the September 27 Standing Committee polls.

“If you proceed with the election for the MCD Standing Committee chairman, we will take it seriously,” the bench warned, addressing senior advocate Sanjay Jain, representing the LG’s office.

Initially, the court had reservations about accepting the petition but was compelled to issue a notice due to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s decision to invoke Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act.

“Using executive powers under Section 487 to interfere in the electoral process could jeopardise democracy,” the bench remarked, asking the LG’s office to clarify its stance within two weeks.

The matter is scheduled for a post-Dussehra hearing.