There were as many as 57 instances of extensions being granted to superannuating chief secretaries of various states in the last 10 years, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

In a major setback to the AAP government, a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud allowed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the tenure of Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, a day before he was set to demit office on November 30, for six months.

The bench held that the union government’s decision did not violate law or the Constitution.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain appeared for the Centre and vehemently argued that the union government has all the power to appoint and extend the tenure of the top official in view of the amended law and other provisions.

The solicitor general opposed the submissions of senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the AAP government, that the provision in the new law dealing with the chief secretary was merely a definition clause.