The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response from the Delhi Government and the Delhi Minorities Commission on a plea seeking removal of Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission for acting as an agent of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The division bench headed by Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued a notice to the Delhi Government, among others, while hearing plea seeking removal or dismissal of Zakir Khan from the post of Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission.
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that since his appointment as the Chairman of the said Commission, Khan is misusing his position to promote the ideas of AAP. He alleged that according to the Delhi Minorities Commission Rules, 2000, the Chairman, member and other officers of the Commission are deemed to be ‘public servants’, and thereby, cannot be associated with any political party.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 31’ 2021.
Filed as a PIL by one Abdul Amir Amiro, who belongs to one of the minority communities, through Advocate Hemant Choudhary. The plea states that Zakir Khan was nominated as the Chairman of the Commission by the Delhi Government in the year 2020. The plea alleges that after assuming office, Khan is continuously exercising abuse of his position and power in disregard to the Delhi Minorities Commission Rules, 2000; and is found to be associated with AAP and actively promulgate and promote the agenda of the party.
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The plea states thus: “The same is evident from the Facebook profile of the aforementioned person who has uploaded the picture through his official handle on number of occasions and can be actively seen in taking part and holding meeting with the aforesaid political party and its members and is widely seen communicating the agenda and ideology of he same amongst the general public at large.”
The petitioner contends that he has made a representation/complaint regarding the acts of Khan to the Delhi Government as well as to the Lieutenant Governor.
In light of the above, the plea prays for withdrawal of all the facilities accorded to Khan by virtue of the said post, and also to stop his remuneration. In addition, the plea prays for initiating necessary legal action against Khan for violation of service rules/conduct.