Chief Minister's Promise To Citizens "Enforceable", Says Delhi High Court

Once the Chief Minister had given a solemn assurance, a duty was cast on the Delhi government to take a stand as to whether to enforce the promise or not, the court said.

A Chief Minister's promise to citizens is clearly "enforceable", the Delhi High Court ruled on Thursday while directing the AAP government to decide on Arvind Kejriwal's announcement that if a poor tenant was unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state would pay it. The high court said the decision, which has to be taken within six weeks, would keep in mind the larger interest of the people for whom the benefit was intended as per Delhi Chief Minister's statement and thereafter, the AAP government would frame a clear policy in this regard. Justice Prathiba M Singh said that against the backdrop of the commitment made, it is not the positive decision making which is arbitrary, but the lack of decision making or indecision which this court holds to be contrary to law. Once the Chief Minister had given a solemn assurance, a duty was cast on the Delhi government to take a stand as to whether to enforce the promise or not, the court said.