Vinod Sharma v. Ministry of Urban Development Land & Development and Anr

Delhi High Court · 24 Feb 2016 · 2016:DHC:1555
Manmohan J
W.P.(C) 1513/2016
2016:DHC:1555
administrative petition_dismissed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging cancellation of associate membership under a discretionary quota, holding no legal right exists to such membership and writ jurisdiction is limited in such cases.

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W.P.(C) 1513/2016
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
W.P.(C) 1513/2016
VINOD SHARMA ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Pradeep Narula, Advocate with Ms. Urmila Varma, Advocate.
VERSUS
MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LAND & DEVELOPMENT AND ANR ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Dev P. Bhardwaj, Advocate for respondent No.1.
Date of Decision: 24th February, 2016
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN
JUDGMENT
MANMOHAN, J: (Oral)
CM Appl. 6526/2016 (exemption) in W.P.(C) 1513/2016
Allowed, subject to just exceptions.

1. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated 13th January, 2015 whereby the petitioner’s nomination for tenure membership of India Habitat Centre from the former Urban Development Minister’s discretionary quota was cancelled on the ground that the procedure for nomination of the petitioner’s associate membership has been found in 2016:DHC:1555 contravention of the Rules and Regulations/Established Procedure of the Government of India.

2. Learned counsel for petitioner states that the removal of petitioner from associate membership is in contravention of principles of natural justice as the petitioner has not been informed of the Rules contravened and no show cause notice was issued to him.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner further states that his enrolment as an associate member was out of Government quota and according to the cancellation order, the same appointment is in violation of the Government Rules/Established Procedure. Accordingly, he submits that the two are contrary to each other.

4. In the opinion of this Court, no citizen has a legal right leave alone a Fundament Right, to seek Associate Membership of a club under a discretionary quota. It is also not clear as to why the petitioner was enrolled in the discretionary quota.

5. In the opinion of this Court, unless and until the members appointed in the discretionary quota are prima facie differentially placed like a war widow, such members cannot invoke the high prerogative remedy of writ petition.

6. Consequently, present writ petition is dismissed. MANMOHAN, J FEBRUARY 24, 2016 js