Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has come down heavily on the state government for repeatedly failing to conduct municipal elections, despite a clear court mandate issued over a year ago. In a stern move, the court has initiated contempt proceedings against several top officials, including Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, citing willful disobedience of its orders.
The bench, led by Justice Ananda Sen, was hearing a contempt petition filed by Roshni Khalkho, an outgoing councillor of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. The court had earlier directed the government on January 4, 2024, to hold urban local body elections within three weeks—a directive that remains unimplemented.
Officials Summoned for Personal Appearance
Taking serious note of the inaction, the court issued notices to:
- Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari
- Former Urban Development Secretary Vinay Chaubey
- Senior IAS officers Vandana Dadel and Gyanesh Kumar
All have been directed to personally appear before the court on October 14, when charges of contempt may be formally framed.
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Triple Test No Justification, Says Court
During the hearing, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan explained that the government was still conducting the triple test—a mandatory process for fixing OBC reservation in local body elections.
However, the court was unconvinced and rejected the explanation, remarking that the state was “playing with the law and the court’s orders.” The bench emphasized that such delays were unjustified and that constitutional processes must be upheld.
Democracy on Hold: No Elected ULBs Since April 2023
The term of Jharkhand’s urban local bodies ended in April 2023, and elections were due by April 27 that year. Since then, no polls have been conducted. Instead, the state has placed municipal corporations, councils, and nagar panchayats under administrative control, removing elected representation from the urban governance framework.
This prolonged delay has effectively left urban governance in a bureaucratic vacuum, sidelining democratic institutions for over two years.
Petitioner Seeks Strict Action
Representing the petitioner, Advocate Vinod Singh urged the court to ensure strict accountability for the officials responsible for the delay, stating that the disregard for court orders set a dangerous precedent for governance.
Outlook
The High Court’s move signals a strong assertion of judicial authority and sends a clear message to the executive: delaying elections through procedural excuses will not be tolerated. With personal appearances ordered and contempt charges on the table, the coming hearing on October 14 is likely to be a defining moment for the bureaucratic leadership in Jharkhand.
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