The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Delhi government, now led by the BJP, to withdraw seven cases filed by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration against the Central government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG), marking a significant turn in the ongoing tussle over administrative control in the national capital.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih granted the permission after hearing submissions by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared on behalf of the BJP-led Delhi government.
The cases, which had stirred political and legal battles during the AAP regime, revolved around contentious issues including control over the capital’s administrative services.
During the hearing, a lawyer raised concerns regarding the payment of pending legal fees of advocates who had been engaged by the Delhi government during the AAP tenure. Responding to the concern, the Additional Solicitor General assured the bench that all outstanding dues would be cleared.
The move to withdraw the cases was initiated on May 22, when the BJP-led administration sought the top court’s nod to discontinue the legal challenges previously mounted against the Centre and the LG.
