Jasmine Shah, the former vice chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDCD), has withdrawn his petition in the Delhi High Court challenging his removal from the post in 2022. The court accepted the withdrawal and dismissed the petition accordingly, as per an order passed earlier this month by Justice Sachin Datta.
The petition challenged the November 17, 2022, order issued by the Delhi government’s director, acting on the lieutenant governor’s request to then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which resulted in Shah’s removal from his position as vice chairperson of the DDCD. Following the order, DDCD offices were sealed to prevent their alleged misuse by Shah for political purposes, and all facilities assigned to him were withdrawn.
In his plea, Shah had claimed that the removal order was a “gross abuse of power and process,” describing it as “illegal,” “malafide,” and lacking jurisdiction. He also contested the sealing of his office and the withdrawal of his official perks and privileges.
During the case proceedings, the lieutenant governor’s counsel informed the court that Shah’s removal had been referred to the President of India.
Jasmine Shah played a key role in the Delhi government’s policy initiatives, including spearheading the ambitious electric vehicle policy. As vice chairperson of the DDCD, he was instrumental in shaping various government projects such as the food truck policy, the electronic city, and the shopping festival blueprint. Shah held the rank equivalent to a Cabinet minister and enjoyed corresponding privileges including official accommodation, office, vehicle, and personal staff.
With the petition now withdrawn, the legal challenge to Shah’s removal from the DDCD post has effectively ended.
Sources By Agencies