$~3 & 44 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

3.

+ W.P.(C) 887/2025 with CM APPL. 51302/2025 S. GURMEET SINGH SHUNTY & ANR. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Adit S. Pujari, Mr. Rajender Chhabra and Ms. Vanya Chhabra, Advocates along with petitioners in person. versus DIRECTORATE OF GURDWARA ELECTIONS (THROUGH DIRECTOR) & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Vikas Garg Advocate for R-1 to 3 (through VC).

Mr. Abinash K. Mishra and Mr. Gaurav Kr. Pandey, Advocates for R- 4/DSGMC along with Mr. Hardeep Singh, DGM (Legal Cell).

44.

+ W.P.(C) 1728/2026 with CM APPL. 8426/2026 and CM APPL.

8427/2026 GURVINDER SINGH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Kuljeet Singh Sachdeva, Mr.

Salim A. Imamdar, Mr. Tarunjeet Singh Jolly, Ms. Kashish Kumar, Mr. J.S. Bedi, Mr. Rajinder Pal Singh and Mr. Gurmeet Singh Anand, Advocates.

versus DIRECTORATE OF GURDWARA ELECTIONS & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Tushar Sannu and Ms. Pulak Gupta Joshi, Advocates for GNCTD.

Mr. Jagdish Chandra, CGSC for UoI with Ms. Aishwarya Sinha, GP and Ms. Maanya Saxena, Advocate for R-

3/UoI.

Mr. Abinash K. Mishra and Mr. Gaurav Kr. Pandey, Advocates for R- 4/DSGMC along with Mr. Hardeep Singh, DGM (Legal Cell).

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT BANSAL

O R D E R

% 24.02.2026 W.P.(C) 887/2025 and W.P.(C) 1728/2026

1. The grievance of the petitioners in the present petitions is with regard to the delay in holding of the elections of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (hereinafter referred to as ‘DSGMC’).

2. It is submitted that the term of DSGMC came to an end on 22^nd January, 2026 and the elections have not been conducted. Vide order dated 22^nd January, 2026 passed by Lt. Governor, the term of the Executive Board of DSGMC was extended from 23^rd January, 2026 to 30^th September, 2026.

3. On behalf of the petitioners, it is submitted that in terms of Section 5(1) of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Act, 1971, the term of the Management Committee cannot be extended beyond the period of four (4) years.

4. Originally, W.P.(C) 887/2025 was filed seeking a direction to the respondents to prepare fresh electoral rolls in an expeditious manner as also to carry out the delimitation of all the 46 Gurudwara wards before the next elections. However, now it has been submitted on behalf of the petitioners that even if the process of completion of fresh electoral rolls or the delimitation exercise has not been completed, the election should be held in an expeditious manner.

5. On behalf of the respondents, it is submitted that Section 5(1) of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Act provides for exceptions which are contained in Sections 5(2) and 5(3) of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Act. Reliance has also been placed on section 16(5) of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Act.

6. An affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondents no.1 and 2/GNCTD in W.P.(C) 1728/2026. The relevant extracts from the said affidavit are set out below:

7. In the status report dated 27^th January, 2026 filed on behalf of the respondents in W.P.(C) 887/2025, the respondents have reiterated that preparation of electoral roll would take some more time. The relevant paragraph 11 of the said status report is set out below:

8. Having heard the counsel for the parties, it would be in the interest of all the parties concerned if the elections of the DSGMC are held in an expeditious and timely manner.

9. The Court is conscious of the fact that the elections have already been delayed and therefore de hors the legal grounds taken on behalf of the parties, the endeavour should be to ensure that the elections are held without any further delay.

10. A perusal of the affidavit and the status reports filed on behalf of the respondents indicate that the respondents are making efforts to hold the elections in an expeditious manner.

11. Accordingly, binding the respondents to the affidavit/status reports filed by them, following directions are passed:

i. The process of preparation and publication of fresh electoral roll shall be completed on or before 30^th June, 2026.

ii. The resp