Jharkhand HC: 10-Day Ultimatum to Govt On Vacant Constitutional Posts

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court on Monday reprimanded the state government for its failure to fill key constitutional posts, including the Lokayukta and Information Commissioner. A bench led by Chief Justice M.S. Sonak issued a final 10-day deadline for the government to issue appointment notifications, warning of consequences if it fails to act.

“Unacceptable Delay”

The court adopted a stern stance during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), noting that the prolonged vacancies have severely hampered governance. The bench directed the state to complete the appointment process without fail before the next hearing, scheduled for April 23.

Political Deadlock at Raj Bhavan

During the proceedings, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan informed the court that the government had previously sent a file of recommended names to the Raj Bhavan but later withdrew it.

Abhay Mishra, counsel for the petitioner, countered this by alleging:

• Political Bias: The government reportedly forwarded three politically affiliated names for the post of Information Commissioner from a five-member panel.

• Governor’s Objection: The Governor reportedly returned the file after objecting to the selection.

The Advocate General assured the bench that the selection committee would revise the recommendations and resubmit them to the Raj Bhavan shortly.

Governance Under Threat

Key statutory bodies in Jharkhand have remained non-functional or understaffed for years, including:

• The Lokayukta

• The State Human Rights Commission

• The State Information Commission

Petitioners, including the Advocates’ Association, argued that these vacancies weaken the state’s quasi-judicial framework. Although the first PIL on this issue was filed in 2020, the government has yet to finalize the appointments despite repeated assurances from Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s administration.