Centre Vs Delhi Govt: SC Refuses To Interfere In Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar's Extension Move

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra on Wednesday refused to hold the Centre's decision to grant a six-month extension to Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.

The apex court stated that the Centre has all the powers to appoint a Chief Secretary for the national capital, in reply to a petition filed by the Delhi government opposing the Centre's move.

A day ago, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre whether they have any other official who is qualified or competent enough to replace Kumar.

"You want to make the appointment, make it. Don't you have any IAS officer who can be made chief secretary of Delhi? Are you so stuck on one IAS officer?" the bench had asked the Centre.

The court had also advised that Kumar should be superannuated and a fresh appointment should be made.

"This man is superannuating. Let this man superannuate. You make a fresh appointment," the bench led by the Chief Justice had said, before relenting and directing the Centre to return with reasons today.

It was not the first time that the Centre and the Delhi government had locked horns. Taking cognizance of the continuous rift between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the Supreme Court had asked both to sit together and finalize a name out of the shortlisted candidates by the union government.

"Why doesn't LG and centre propose a panel of names? The ultimate choice will be from a panel made by you. You suggest a panel. Then the Delhi government will pick up one name," Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had said.