In a recent development, the central government in Delhi has officially communicated its position on the extension of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar's service, a matter that has now reached the Supreme Court. The court was apprised that over the last decade, the tenures of 57 Chief Secretaries in various states have seen extensions, an issue falling under the purview of the central government.

This revelation follows the earlier assertion by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, stating that no Chief Secretary in the last 30 years had been granted a service extension. The Supreme Court, during Tuesday's hearing, questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta about the Delhi government's objection to Naresh Kumar's retention if they were not in favor, suggesting they could appoint a new Chief Secretary. The court also sought clarification on the basis and authority guiding the decision on the extension of service.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the central government's stance, emphasizing that as the capital, it deems Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar's tenure should not exceed six months, in accordance with existing rules that limit service extensions. He pointed out that in 2015, Delhi's Chief Secretary Deepak Mohan was granted an extension, countering Singhvi's claim of a three-decade hiatus in such extensions.

Singhvi argued that decisions made in 2018 and 2023 clearly outlined that appointments by the Home Ministry or Lieutenant Governor (LG) are to be collaborative efforts with the Delhi government and the National Capital Territory (NCT) government.

In response to the Delhi government's objections, Mehta cited instances from the last 12 months where states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh had extended the service of their Chief Secretaries. He reinforced the central government's belief that, given its status as the capital, the Chief Secretary of Delhi should adhere to the six-month limit for service extensions.