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Court Halts Lucknow Mayor's Powers Amid Oath Delay
The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench has suspended the administrative and financial powers of Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal. The decision came after the Mayor failed for nearly five months to administer the oath of office to Samajwadi Party corporator Lalit Kishore Tiwari. The court expressed strong disapproval over the disregard for previous directives, including a May 13 order that mandated completion within seven days. This intervention underscores the court's role in enforcing judicial orders when executive action is delayed.
No Justifiable Reason for Delay
During the recent hearing, the court found no legal impediment or valid reason for the prolonged delay. It stated that continued non-compliance with judicial orders is unacceptable. The suspension will remain in effect until the May 13 directive is fully implemented, though it excludes the oath ceremony itself. The Mayor's attempt to use a pending appeal against an election tribunal's decision as a reason for delay was rejected, as no interim stay had been issued.
Background of the Dispute
The issue began with an election tribunal's ruling on December 19, 2025, which invalidated the initial winner for Ward-73 and declared SP candidate Lalit Kishore Tiwari the rightful corporator. Tiwari's inability to participate in municipal matters due to the delayed oath led him to seek legal recourse. The court emphasized that public authority should not be used to bypass judicial decisions and that the suspension is a necessary measure to ensure compliance.
Civic Operations to Continue
The court clarified that the municipal corporation's operations will continue as normal. The Mayor's absence from administrative duties will be considered a temporary leave, ensuring that essential civic functions are not disrupted while the oath administration issue is resolved.