The Supreme Court today allowed the Delhi government to withdraw seven cases filed by the former Aam Aadmi Party-government against the central government and the lieutenant governor over issues including control of services in the capital.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih took note of the submissions made by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, and granted the request. The Delhi government had sought to withdraw the seven cases, which were part of a prolonged legal battle with the Centre and the lieutenant governor.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih allowed the Delhi Government’s plea after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the new government did not want to pursue these cases. “These matters should not trouble this court anymore,” the ASG said.
Besides the case relating to tussle for control over services in the national capital, the seven cases allowed to be withdrawn included challenge to the authority of L-G in several committees, including solid waste management, Yamuna river cleaning and against the validity of Acts and ordinances.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government filed several cases in the SC, the most important being the challenge to the validity of a law giving a wider say to the L-G to control the bureaucracy in Delhi.
The AAP Government had challenged the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 — known as Delhi Services Act — which extended the Centre’s control of services by giving powers to the L-G over the elected government with regard to bureaucracy. The SC had on July 20, 2023, referred the issue to a Constitution Bench for a final adjudication of the contentious issue.