The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted approval for the Central government to extend the tenure of Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar (IAS:1987:AGMUT) by six months, beyond the initially scheduled end date of November 30.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court said that the Centre’s decision did not violate the Constitutional distribution of powers. It emphasized that the Centre holds the authority to extend the tenure of the Chief Secretary, particularly in matters concerning police, land, and public order, which fall beyond the jurisdiction of the Delhi government.
The court clarified that its decision was a “prima facie view,” and a more comprehensive evaluation of the legal and constitutional principles involved would be conducted by a five-judge constitution bench.
This development transpired a day after the Central government informed the Supreme Court of its intention to extend Naresh Kumar’s tenure for a limited period. In response to the court’s query about the legal basis for the extension, the Solicitor General, representing the Centre, clarified that the extension was temporary and that a new appointment would be made.
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The three-judge bench had pressed the Solicitor General to specify the legal authority under which the Chief Secretary’s tenure was extended, suggesting the presentation of relevant laws or the consideration of a fresh appointment. However, the Solicitor General assured the bench that the extension was temporary and limited.
The Centre had been given until Wednesday to provide grounds justifying the six-month extension of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s tenure.
