HC Allows City Govt Polls for Sikh Gurudwara Committee

The Delhi High Court today reversed the judgement of its single-judge bench and allowed the city government to hold polls for the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw set aside the order of a `single-judge bench restraining the Directorate of Gurudwara Elections (DGE), which is under the city government, from issuing a notification for elections of the DSGMC.

It asked the government to hold polls at the earliest for all Gurudwaras in the capital by fixing a fresh schedule.

The court, which had reserved its judgement on February 22, upheld the decision of Lt Governor on the issue.

"The process of delimitation and preparation of fresh electoral roll is undoubtedly alright and is in the process and no error can be found in with the decision of the Lt Governer..., the court said.

Earlier, the single judge had directed city government to complete the exercise of delimitation in 46 wards within a month and also prepare the electoral rolls with photographs of voters for the elections before issuing the notification.

DGE challenged the verdict alleging that the single judge bench had no right to pass such orders once the poll process was set in motion with the issuance of the notification.

"The work of delimitation and preparation of fresh electoral rolls if found to be necessary shall be undertaken immediately and ought to be completed, well in time so that such a situation does not occur when the next election becomes due," the bench observed, asking the DGE issue fresh schedule for the elections for the posts of the DSGMC.

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