In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) possesses the authority to appoint aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) independently, without the need for the Delhi Government’s consultation.
A three-judge bench, featuring Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice PS Narasimha, asserted that the LG’s appointments stand valid under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. This ruling comes after the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi’s ruling party, challenged the appointment of ten aldermen by the LG, arguing that it bypassed the required aid and advice of the State Cabinet.
The Court’s judgment underscores the LG’s statutory power in this matter, reinforcing the validity of the ten appointments and setting a significant precedent for the governance of Delhi’s municipal affairs.
