Supreme Court Questions Delhi LG’s Power Over MCD Election, Issues Notice on Mayor’s Petition

The Supreme Court on Friday raised concerns about Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena’s involvement in the election of the sixth member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) standing committee. The court questioned the LG’s authority under Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, stating it is an executive power not meant to interfere with legislative functions. The top court has issued a notice on Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s petition, challenging the election process, which excluded her from presiding over the event.

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan, hearing the case, asked the LG’s legal representative, Advocate Sanjay Jain, about the urgency in conducting the election without Mayor Oberoi. The mayor had approached the court after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election. At the same time, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the process, alleging it was against the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. The court noted that appointing an IAS officer instead of the mayor as the presiding officer was a key contention in the case.

The bench expressed concerns over the LG’s use of Section 487, stating, “What happens to democracy if you keep interfering like this?” The next hearing is scheduled for two weeks from now.

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