The Jharkhand High Court has taken a strong stance against the state government for its repeated failure to conduct municipal elections, despite a clear judicial directive issued more than a year ago. In a significant move, the court has initiated contempt proceedings against several high-ranking officials, including Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, citing deliberate non-compliance with its orders.
A bench presided over by Justice Ananda Sen was hearing a contempt petition filed by Roshni Khalkho, a former councillor of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. The court had previously directed the government on January 4, 2024, to hold urban local body elections within three weeks—a directive that has yet to be implemented.
Officials Directed to Appear in Person
Expressing serious concern over the inaction, the court issued notices to the following officials:
Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari
Former Urban Development Secretary Vinay Chaubey
Senior IAS officers Vandana Dadel and Gyanesh Kumar
All four officials have been instructed to appear personally before the court on October 14, when formal contempt charges may be framed against them.
Court Rejects “Triple Test” Justification
During the proceedings, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan argued that the government was still in the process of conducting the “triple test”—a mandatory procedure for determining Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation in local body elections. However, the court dismissed this explanation, observing that the state was “playing with the law and the court’s orders.” The bench underscored that such delays were unacceptable and emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional processes.
Democratic Void in Urban Governance
The terms of Jharkhand’s urban local bodies ended in April 2023, with elections originally scheduled to be held by April 27 of that year. Despite this, no elections have taken place. Instead, the state has placed municipal corporations, councils, and nagar panchayats under administrative control, effectively removing elected representation from urban governance.
This prolonged delay has resulted in a significant democratic deficit, leaving urban governance in a state of bureaucratic limbo for over two years.
Petitioner Calls for Strict Accountability
Advocate Vinod Singh, representing the petitioner, urged the court to ensure strict accountability for the officials responsible for the delay. He emphasized that such disregard for judicial orders sets a dangerous precedent for governance and undermines the rule of law.
Outlook
The High Court’s decision marks a robust assertion of judicial authority and delivers a clear message to the executive branch: procedural excuses will not be tolerated as justifications for delaying elections. With personal appearances mandated and contempt charges under consideration, the upcoming hearing on October 14 is poised to be a critical moment for bureaucratic accountability in Jharkhand.
