Delhi HC seeks government's reply on AAP's plea over rent for party office
Justice Sachin Datta issued notice to the Centre on AAP's plea filed in a case in which the party challenges the cancellation of the allotment of the suite for its office. The high court asked the authorities to file its reply within two weeks and posted the matter on July 22.
After AAP's counsel urged the court to stay the June 20 reminder notice demanding the rent, the Centre's lawyer said 'nothing' would happen till the next hearing.
The Centre's counsel said there was no urgency in the matter as it was only a notice and they would be proceeding in line with the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
AAP has claimed the decision of the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, was ex parte and passed without any showcause notice or a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Its counsel argued the Directorate of Estates allegedly cancelled the allotment of a double suite in Vithalbhai Patel House with effect from September 14, 2024, without any information and belatedly conveyed the same to the petitioner for the first time in a letter dated January 17.
The petitioner handed over the possession of the premises on April 30, the counsel added. In a fresh plea, AAP said the Directorate of Estates on June 20 re-issued the bills in the form of a reminder through which the authorities have re-affirmed the arbitrary eviction of the petitioner from its state party office via the ex-parte cancellation order of September 14, 2024.
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