Plea in HC to fill vacancies in MCD

A law student on Wednesday moved the Delhi high court seeking a direction to the state Election Commission to fill “casual vacancies” in the councillorship in all the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD).

A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath fixed the matter for hearing on July 29, saying since there is “no urgency in the matter, we will take up the issue later”.

The petitioner moved the court after she, in her village in West Delhi, saw the poor condition of the area and later on also came to know that there was no councillor to look after the civic issues.

“Effluent water was overflowing from the drains all over the streets. Filth was spread here and there and the entire village was having a foul smell,” the plea filed by the 20-year-old female advocate said, adding the “state Election Commission is duty-bound to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.”

She also contended that as per the RTI reply she received from the department concerned there are over 10 vacant posts of councillors.

“There are a number of casual vacancies in councillorship in all the three MCDs and most of them are lying vacant since December 20, 2013, and the people of these wards where casual vacancies exist, are suffering in the absence of councillors/elected representatives,” the petition filed by Sanjana Gehlot said.