Vacancies in Minority Commission: Delhi High Court expressed displeasure at the Center regarding the deadline

New Delhi. The Delhi High Court on Friday expressed displeasure at the Central government for failing to give a “timeline” to complete the process of filling the vacancies on the posts of Chairperson and Members of the National Minorities Commission. Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia asked the Deputy Secretary, Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, to explain the omission within two weeks, noting that it had specifically sought an affidavit regarding the timeline for filling up the vacancies.

The court said, “We are unable to understand how the statements made in the affidavit explain the time frame to be adopted to ensure the appointment of the Chairperson and other members of the Commission.” The high court told Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, “See how casually the court’s order has been taken. The court has been disregarded. Who is this officer?… See the affidavit filed by the officer. We will have to summon him and ask him what the deadline means. “It would be better if you call him to your room.”

The court observed that the affidavit “only states” that the Ministry has initiated necessary action for appointment to the vacant posts and the bio-data and nominations received from various sources are being examined. The affidavit said the proposals are being examined and the matter is sub-judice before the competent authority. The next hearing of the case will be on July 3.

On February 6, the court had asked the Center to file a “better affidavit” on the issue of filling up the vacancies in the commission and give details of the appointment process as well as the timeline for its completion. The court had remarked that the status quo report filed by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, on the issue was “totally meaningless and vague”.

On January 30, the High Court had expressed concern over the vacant posts in the Commission. He observed that the commission has been without a chairperson or member since April last year. The court had asked the Center to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to fill all the vacant posts. The High Court is hearing a PIL filed by petitioner Mujahid Nafees regarding vacant posts in the commission.