Appointments In National Commission For Minorities Deferred Due To Model Code Of Conduct Apropos Elections In Five States: Centre To Delhi High Court

The Central Government has informed the Delhi High Court that the appointments into vacant positions in the National Commission for Minorities have been deferred due to Model Code of Conduct apropos the elections to the five State legislative assemblies.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told a bench comprising of Justice Najmi Waziri that the Government will expeditiously fill up the said vacant positions immediately upon the lifting of the Model Code of Conduct.

"It is hoped that the matter will be considered in the right earnest with absolute promptitude by the next date," the Court said at the outset.

The Court was dealing with a contempt petition seeking compliance of an order dated 23rd April, 2021 wherein the Court had directed the filling up of vacant position in the National Commission for Minorities on or before July 31, 2021.

The said date was later extended till September 31, 2021. However, there was no compliance in the matter.

The National Commission for Minorities was to have seven members, including the Chairperson. Pursuant to the order dated December 2, 2021, six positions in the Commission were filled up.

However, on February 1, the Chairperson of the Commission had resigned and later one more vacancy arose on account of the completion of the tenure of a member. Presently, there are three vacant positions in the Commission.

The matter will now be heard on April 28.

Advocate Manan Aggarwal appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

Title: ABHAY RATAN BAUDDH v. RENUKA KUMAR

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