AAP’s appointment of 21 legislators as Parliament secretaries set aside by HC
The legislators from AAP were appointed as parliamentary secretaries on 13 March, a month after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government took office
New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Thursday set aside appointment of 21 legislators as Parliament secretaries by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
The legislators from AAP were appointed as parliamentary secretaries on 13 March, a month after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government took office.
The ruling was passed by a bench headed by chief justice of Delhi high court G. Rohini after the Delhi government conceded that such appointments were illegal since approval from the Lt. Governor (L-G) had not been taken before the decision.
The latest ruling is the second legal setback in as many months for the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi.
On 4 August, the Delhi high court held L-G as head of administrative powers in matters of public order, land, police and services—including the power to appoint civil servant.
The appointment of the legislators as parliament secretaries was challenged by Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, an NGO which contended that the legislators enjoy the status and perks of ministers including office space and official cars, which amounted to “misuse of the taxpayer’s money."
It was alleged that these appointments were “unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction" and should be cancelled.
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