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The Supreme Court today vacated the status quo interim order on Aurangabad Municipal elections that had been passed in October 2020.

The Court had in 2020 granted status quo in a plea filed by a Councillor challenging the State Election Commission’s delimitation process of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation on the ground that it “suffers from violation of principles of natural justice.”

The counsel appearing for the State Election Commission (SEC) today submitted that the plea has become infructuous in view of the fresh delimitation process and a new ordinance brought in for reservation in local body elections.

The CJI responded, “We cannot stay the election process.” 

Sr. Adv. Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that on the last occasion delimitation exercise inputs were leaked to political parties and Election Commission has accepted this on affidavit.

He urged the Court that the secrecy of the delimitation process should be maintained.

The bench headed by CJI NV Ramana and consisting of Justices Bopanna and Hima Kohli on hearing the parties took note of SEC’s submission that the plea has become infructuous on account of fresh delimitation process and ordinance.

The bench further recorded that it is vacating the status quo in view of the statement made by SEC.

The Court then directed SEC to take necessary steps to ensure that the inputs of delimitation exercise is not leaked to any party and further directed the SEC to determine the wards in compliance with the Delimitation Act, 2002 and the Rules made thereunder.

Cause Title: Sameer vs State of Maharashtra