Mumbai, 05 January (H.S.): Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Monday admitted before the Bombay High Court that it was a mistake to overstep his jurisdiction by issuing directives for subordinate court staff to report for election duty, and informed the court that the orders had been withdrawn.

The admission came after the High Court strongly reprimanded the civic chief and questioned the legal authority under which court staff were sought to be deployed for election-related work. The court expressed concern over the encroachment into the administrative domain of the judiciary.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad advised the BMC Commissioner to avoid further complications and to make alternative arrangements for personnel required for the upcoming polls.

The court’s observations prompted immediate corrective action, with the BMC clarifying that no court staff would now be engaged for election duty, and that other lawful options would be explored to meet administrative requirements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar