NEW DELHI:
Delhi High Court on Tuesday criticised central govt for delaying the allotment of a residential accommodation to former chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal in the city, noting that the approach resembled a "free system for all". Centre cannot selectively decide who gets a house in the national capital, it pointed out.
Justice Sachin Datta demanded that central govt submit within two days the records outlining the policy governing the allotment of houses from the general pool of residential accommodation and the current waiting list.
The court was hearing AAP's plea seeking directions to Centre to allot a house to Kejriwal in Delhi. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing AAP, said that though the govt counsel kept taking time to seek instructions on the party's proposal to allot the bungalow at 35 Lodhi Estate to the party's national convener, it was allotted to someone else. The bungalow was vacated by BSP chief Mayawati in May.
The govt's counsel had repeatedly sought adjournments, citing the unavailability of the additional solicitor general, Mehra alleged, highlighting that on the last two dates, Centre continued to delay the matter while quietly allotting the bungalow to someone else. ASG Chetan Sharma admitted that it was allotted to a minister of state and urged the court to grant some time to return with the details of the allotment.
Sharma argued that a party could not demand a particular bungalow, highlighting a "long waiting list". The former chief minister, he said, would be allotted a house "as and when it becomes possible". The high court, however, directed Centre to apprise it of the specific date when 35 Lodhi Estate was allotted. "Before Aug 26 or later, that is very crucial," Justice Datta remarked.
"It is completely unacceptable, you have allotted 35 Lodhi Estate while you seek passovers. You are not interested in this matter. Last time, the same thing happened. Previous day also. There was a clear direction for records. The waiting list cannot deter allotment. It has never deterred in the past," HC said. "I want to know the governing policy for allotment from the general pool. What is the waiting list? You cannot pick and choose."
The AAP petition said Kejriwal had vacated his official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road on Oct 4, 2024, after stepping down as CM. Since then, he has been staying at the official residence of another party member near Mandi House, it added.
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