High Court Contempt Notices Shake Jharkhand's Civic Election Stalemate

The Jharkhand High Court has taken decisive action by issuing contempt notices to key government officials, including Chief Secretary Alka Tiwary and Home and Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel, for failing to comply with court orders regarding civic elections. The court's decision comes in response to a petition by ex-ward councillor Roshni Khalko, underscoring the administrative inertia that has blocked electoral processes in the state since 2018.

Justice Ananda Sen issued the original directive in January last year mandating the government organize municipal elections within three weeks, which was later extended to four months in January 2024. Despite these clear directives, no elections have been conducted, leaving municipal bodies without elected representatives and hindering public welfare schemes.

The High Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's approach, signaling a stern warning by scheduling the next hearing on October 14. The court plans to frame charges against the officials for potentially neglectful actions that have prolonged the political vacuum in Jharkhand's urban administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)