Setback for Kejriwal, High Court verdict declares Lt.Governor as administrative head of Delhi

“L-G is the administrative head of National Capital Territory” and not the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," the court said at the end of hearing a number of petitions.

“L-G is not bound to act as per advise of Delhi Cabinet...AAP Government’s contention that L-G is bound to act on advice of Council of Ministers is without any substance and cannot be accepted”, the court said.

Since his Aam Aadmi Party came to power last year, Kejriwal has been in a bitter row with the Centre and its representative, Najeeb Jung, the Lieutenant Governor, over who is the ultimate boss of Delhi, which is not a full state.  Kejriwal has often alleged that the Centre is trying to run the capital through Jung when there is a Government elected by the people.

AAP had challenged the Centre's order last year stopping the Delhi government's anti-corruption branch from  taking action against officers reporting to the central government.

On several occasions, the Kejriwal Government came to a head on collision with the Lieutenant Governor over the authority over the administration.

The situation worsened when  a team of the CBI raided  Kejriwal's office and arrested his aide Rajendra Kumar for corruption.

The Delhi government has argued in court that there cannot be two reporting authorities.

The Centre, however, told the court that Delhi remains in its control as it is not a full state.