Court stays executive members'' election

New Delhi, January 18

The court has given stay order against election of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s (DSGMC's) executive board (EB) members scheduled to be held on Jan 19.

The court issued interim stay order when an independent committee member, Gurmeet Singh Shanty, in his application argued that the election was illegal for two reasons — being done before time and without approval of the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections.

The executive board election is held after every two years. The last one was held on March 30, 2017.

DSGMC’s general house had proposed for the election on Dec 6, but the Directorate on December 26 had sought the reason for announcing the election before time.

Shanty said story of resignation of executive members was concocted. The resignation is submitted before the general house and the committee members present in the meeting accepted the resignation. But, the legal procedure was not followed. Hence, the executive board members are still holding their posts, no early elections can be held as there is no vacancy that can be filled.

Additional District Judge Sanjeev Kumar said it is evident that the Directorate till date has not permitted to conduct the election.

“I also find force in the counsel’s contention for the plaintiff that resignation, if at all, given by the president and other members of the executive board is required to be accepted before the committee as per the Act’s Section 17(3).”

“The counsel’s contention for the defendant that acceptance of the resignation has been taken from the members of the committee by the circular cannot be accepted.”

DSGMC has called a general house meeting tomorrow for  accepting resignation of all EB members. — TNS