Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar filed a contempt petition against the Andhra Pradesh Government. Mr. Kumar alleged that the government has not obeyed the Court’s order of his reinstatement as State Election Commissioner (SEC).
Previous Order of the High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had ordered the State Government to reinstate Ramesh Kumar as SEC. Subsequently, the ongoing fight between the government and Ramesh Kumar is getting worse. Earlier, the government had promulgated an ordinance to cut short the tenure of SEC. So, it removed Mr. Kumar from the post of SEC. Moreover, Chief Minister had attributed motives to Kumar. He questioned Kumar’s powers to postpone the local body polls citing COVID-19.
The Reddy government had on April 10 removed Kumar by cutting short the tenure of the SEC to three years from five, and appointed Justice Kanagaraj in his place. Ramesh Kumar then approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court. On May 29, the Court had nullified the impugned ordinance and ordered his reinstatement immediately.
Petitioner’s Prayer
Mr. Ramesh Kumar prayed the High Court to punish the State chief secretary and Panchayat Raj secretary for violating the Court’s order of his reinstatement. Ramesh Kumar has urged for passing interim orders directing the State Government to allow him to join his office as the SEC with immediate effect.
Kumar told the Court that the government had withdrawn all facilities provided to him for working as SEC. He added that such facilities were extended to Justice Kanagaraj.
Court’s Opinion
Since the government was not satisfied with the order, it moved to the Supreme Court and prayed to put a stay on the High Court order. But, the Supreme Court refused to stay the High Court order. Further, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said, “We are not satisfied that your motives were entirely innocent.”
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