In a setback for Kejriwal government, Delhi High Court on Thursday ruled that the Lieutenant Governor was the administrative head of National Capital Territory.
Delhi High Court also dismissed petition filed by AAP govt challenging powers of the LG in the state.
While pronouncing the verdict, the high court also said the Centre’s 21 May, 2015, notification barring Delhi Government’s Anti-Corruption Branch from proceeding against Central Government employees is neither illegal nor unsustainable.
It also said service matters fall outside the jurisdiction of Delhi Legislative Assembly and the LG exercising the powers in such matter is “not unconstitutional”.
The bench held as illegal AAP government’s order appointing Commission of Inquiry in the CNG fitness scam and Delhi and District Cricket Association scam since the same was issued without concurrence of LG.
Also Read | Delhi LG, Najeeb Jung, attacks AAP, says its charges against him are frivolous
The court said the appointment of Nominee Directors of Delhi Government on Board of BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd by the Delhi Power Company Ltd, on the basis of recommendations of the Delhi Chief Minister without communicating the decision to the LG for his views, is “illegal”.
The verdict by the High Court has dominated the social media conversations with users slamming the Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal.
Here are some examples.
Now when Delhi HC has put to rest ignorance of Kejriwal Govt on d Constitution, Hope good sense will prevail over them & theatrics will end.
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 4, 2016
#Delhi HC order is no one's victory or defeat. It only clarifies existing Constitutional position so that Delhi's governance doesn't suffer.
— BS Bassi (@BhimBassi) August 4, 2016
Sourses say after today's Delhi HC verdict Kejriwal wil resign & go to Punjab. Satyendar Jain not Sisodia wil take over as Dummy CM of Delhi
— Satish Upadhyay (@upadhyaysbjp) August 4, 2016
Kejriwal Ji has become first CM in history to have been told by Court that CM means Chief Minister. Not Lt. Governor.
— Yashwant Deshmukh ?? (@YRDeshmukh) August 4, 2016
After the verdict by the HC, hopefully Mr Kejriwal doesn't resort to his usual self & say "Modi ji ki High Court kam karne nahi de rahi hai"
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) August 4, 2016
Another slap on #Kejriwal's face.. Anarchy is long dead in India.. https://t.co/FJE5C1qhM0
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 4, 2016
Mr Kejriwal shd learn his lesson from HC verdict not 2 waste precious time meant 4 governance & tax payers money on unnecessary litigations.
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) August 4, 2016
High Court rules against Kejriwal Govt!
Upheld Lt Governor notifications-LG-Kejriwal spat wasted 18 months-brought Delhi to a standstill.
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) August 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/bhak_sala/status/761072475853553664
Moral of Delhi HC verdict:
you cant govern without understanding the grammar of governance— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 4, 2016
As per Delhi HC, the supreme ruler in Delhi in LG! Elected CM is a jumla! Wud media now blame LG next time for water logging, Dengue etc??!!
— M S Rana⚓ (@ms_rana) August 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/Nesenag/status/761098668850065408
Ultimately the Delhi HC has now given a thumping rejection to the politics of AAP Govt where it plays victim card and always blames Centre.
— Ketan C Bhate (@BhateKetan) August 4, 2016