Delhi Govt Moves SC To Withdraw 7 Cases Filed During AAP Rule, Challenging L-G’s Authority

Supreme Court

The Delhi government filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking to withdraw seven cases that were instituted during the previous Aam Aadmi Party administration.

These cases challenged the Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) authority over several bodies, including one overseeing the Yamuna river rejuvenation efforts.

Court Directs Friday Listing

A bench composed of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh responded by ordering that the withdrawal plea be listed for hearing on Friday. “We will list all these cases for Friday and take up the application,” Justice Surya Kant informed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared on behalf of the Delhi government.

Scope Of The Withdrawal

ASG Bhati explained that the application encompasses seven matters currently pending before the Supreme Court. These include challenges to the L-G’s role in:

Solid waste management committees,

The high-level body for Yamuna cleaning, and

The constitutional validity of certain Acts and ordinances passed by the previous administration.

“These matters should not trouble this court anymore,” Ms. Bhati urged, emphasizing that the government wishes to put an end to protracted litigation over administrative control.

AAP’s Yamuna Committee Challenge

One of the most prominent cases dates back to the AAP government’s petition against a July 2023 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order. The NGT had directed that the Lieutenant Governor, who, under Article 239 of the Constitution, serves as the head of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and administrator of the National Capital Territory, should chair a high-level committee tasked with tackling the Yamuna’s pollution crisis.

Background

In its order issued on January 19, 2023, the NGT highlighted that Delhi’s segment of the Yamuna suffers from significantly higher pollution, about 75 percent, compared to other states along the river basin. To address this, the tribunal “requested the lieutenant governor of Delhi, who is the chairman of DDA and the administrator of Delhi under Article 239 of the Constitution, to head the committee.” The AAP government’s subsequent challenge brought the matter before the Supreme Court, where it has remained pending until now.

Wider Implications

The seven cases span a range of administrative disputes, many relating to the balance of power between the elected Delhi government and the L-G’s office. By withdrawing these challenges, the current BJP-led administration appears intent on reducing friction over governance and focusing on collaborative administration.

With the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear the withdrawal application on Friday, Delhi’s leadership will formally set aside these notable litigations, potentially clearing the way for smoother relations between the city’s elected government and its constitutional head.

Observers will watch closely to see whether any of the individual cases are revived through fresh petitions or whether this move genuinely settles the matter once and for all.