“Only concerned with LG’s jurisdiction in giving such orders”: Delhi HC adjourns AAP Leader Jasmine Shah’s plea to Nov 28

Noting that “We are only concerned with the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor in giving such orders”, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday adjourned the matter concerning the plea moved by Aam Aadmi Party Leader Jasmine Shah for November 28.

Justice Yashwant Varma was hearing a plea filed by Shah against Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena for restricting him from discharging his functions and duties as Vice-Chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDDC).

During the hearing, Senior Advocates Rajiv Nayar and Dayan Krishna appeared for Shah and submitted that the main issue is “the issue of jurisdiction”, and argued that the LG has no power to give such orders.

On being asked by the single-judge bench on the appointment of the Vice-Chairperson of DDDC, Nayar stated that the VC is appointed by the decision of the Cabinet and can be removed by the Chairman or the Chief Minister, i.e. Arvind Kejriwal.

Shah had moved to the High Court against LG’s decision, barring him from using “any privileges in the office of VC, DDDC, with immediate effect”. The action was taken after a complaint was made by Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) MP Parvesh Verma, where he stated that Shah while working as the VC of DDDC, acted as the official spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party, which violates the law.

Jasmine joined the AAP in 2014 and was appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of the DDDC in 2018.

Case Title: Jasmine Shah v. Director (Planning) Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.