Indu Sahani has been holding the post for the past 3 years, two more than usual; the government is 'preoccupied with more pressing issues'
Indu Sahani has been holding the post for the past 3 years, two more than usual; the government is 'preoccupied with more pressing issues'
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Sheriff Indu Sahani has been holding on to the honorary post for the past three years overstaying her one-year tenure because the state government has little time to look for a suitable candidate to replace her.
As per norms, the Sheriff, which is an apolitical and titular position of authority, should be appointed for a year.
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Officials from the chief minister's office claimed that Indu Sahani had given up charge as the Sheriff and a deputy has been holding charge in her place
However, the state government issued a GR (government resolution) during former chief minister Ashok Chavan's tenure, enabling the Sheriff to continue in the post even after a year if a new appointment is not made before the person's tenure comes to an end.
Four months have passed since Prithviraj Chavan assumed power, but the chief minister is preoccupied with political developments in the state and at the Centre and has no time to look for a suitable candidate who could replace Sahani.
However, officials from the chief minister's office claimed that Sahani had given up charge as the Sheriff and a deputy has been holding charge in her place.
Officials also pointed out that the process of appointment would begin soon and the chief minister would definitely make a fresh appointment.
RK Fernandes, a self-styled social activist, in his letter, pointed out that Chavan assumed office four months ago and was yet to appoint a new sheriff.
"Does (inability to find a new Sheriff) that mean the chief minister has not been able to find a suitable candidate?" he asked in his letter.
However, a minister in the Chavan cabinet pointed out that lobbying is on for appointment to the post and it is just that the chief minister is preoccupied with managing the affairs of the state.
According to officials, non-political and eminent persons from various fields are appointed as Sheriff.
The post
The Sheriff of Mumbai is an apolitical titular position of authority bestowed for one year on a prominent citizen of Mumbai.
Sheriff is an officer of the High Court and the nominal Head of the High Court Department which carries out the orders of the High Court for summoning people, and also for attachment and sealing of properties and if ordered for their auction.
The Sheriff has an office and staff but does not have executive powers of his own. The Sheriff office is in the High Court Building on the Ground Floor. In the order of precedence, the Sheriff ranks just below the Mayor. Mumbai and Kolkata are the only cities in India to maintain this post.
The most important function of the Sheriff is to receive foreign dignitaries at the airport on behalf of the city and to call condolence meetings on the demise of prominent citizens.
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The first Sheriff of Mumbai after Independence was Mahadeol Laxman Dahanukar, a city businessman, in 1948. His son, Shantaram Mahadeo Dahanukar was also appointed as Sheriff of Mumbai in 1969.
Though the post is honorary without remuneration, the post gives the incumbent access to the power corridors.
According to former sheriff Nana Chudasama, every year a good citizen is appointed as Sheriff, which is an honorary post, and he is a link u00a0u00a0between the people and the government.
The Other Side
An official of the chief minister's office said, "He (Chavan) has taken over recently and he will take some time to settle down. Besides, he has to address more pressing issues faced by the state than looking for a new Sheriff. A decision will be taken soon."
While the government officials are claiming that the Sheriff has handed over charge to her deputy, Sahani said, "I am still holding the post of the Sheriff. All correspondences addressed to the Sheriff are addressed to me.
I am continuing as Sheriff by virtue of the rule in the Letters Patents Act, which allows the existing Sheriff to continue if a new person is not appointed at the post."
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