In a stern directive aimed at enforcing democratic processes, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has stripped the Lucknow Mayor of all administrative and financial powers. The court ordered that these powers will remain suspended until she administers the oath of office to newly elected corporator Lalit Kishore Tiwari.
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice S Q H Rizvi on Thursday, following persistent non-compliance with previous judicial instructions regarding the administration of the oath.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle centers around Ward Number 73, located in the Faizullaganj area of Lucknow city. Lalit Kishore Tiwari was declared the legally elected corporator of the ward by an election tribunal.
Despite the tribunal’s clear declaration, Tiwari has spent the last five months waiting to be officially sworn in. The administrative delay in administering his oath prompted legal intervention, bringing the matter before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.
Court’s Escalating Warnings and Non-Compliance
The Allahabad High Court had previously taken a highly critical view of the administration’s delay. During a hearing on May 13, the court expressed stern disapproval over the ongoing failure to swear Tiwari into office.
At that May 13 hearing, both the Lucknow Mayor and the District Magistrate (DM) sought exemption from appearing in person before the court. The bench granted this temporary reprieve on the strict condition that the oath of office be administered to Tiwari within one week.
The court had explicitly warned that if the administration failed to comply with this timeline, the Lucknow Mayor, the District Magistrate, and the Municipal Commissioner would be required to personally appear before the bench at the next scheduled hearing on May 21.
The Decision: Suspension of Mayoral Powers
Following the failure to administer the oath within the stipulated one-week grace period, the matter was taken up on Thursday.
Holding the administration accountable for the prolonged five-month delay since the tribunal’s declaration, the bench of Justices Alok Mathur and S Q H Rizvi issued the order to immediately freeze the mayor’s authority.
Under the court’s directions, the administrative and financial powers of the Lucknow Mayor stand officially seized and will remain suspended until she fulfills her duty and administers the oath to corporator Lalit Kishore Tiwari.
