New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reprimanded the central government for the delay in allocating a bungalow to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Justice Sachin Datta stated that the government’s attitude is like a ‘free-for-all system’. The government cannot selectively decide who gets a house and who does not.
In fact, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has filed a petition demanding that the central government be directed to allocate official accommodation to Kejriwal in Delhi. AAP claimed that it first wrote a letter to the center on this matter on September 20 last year. A reminder was also sent afterwards, but no action was taken.
AAP said that Kejriwal vacated his official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road on October 4, 2024, after stepping down from the post of Chief Minister. Since then, he has been staying at the official residence of a party MP near Mandi House.
AAP stated – Bungalow meant for Kejriwal was given to someone else AAP lawyer Rahul Mehra informed the court that BSP supremo Mayawati had vacated the bungalow at 35, Lodhi Estate this May. The central government’s lawyer had sought time to obtain instructions on the party’s proposal to allocate this bungalow to Kejriwal.
Mehra claimed that the central government’s lawyer repeatedly sought time citing the absence of the ASG, and later this bungalow was allocated to someone else. AAP’s lawyer also accused the central government’s lawyer of delaying the case in court during the previous two hearings.
AAP said that according to the rules for allocation of accommodation from the General Pool to political parties, the president of a national party is entitled to a government accommodation in Delhi. Provided that they neither own a house nor have been allocated accommodation due to holding any post.
Center said – Accommodation will be allocated when possible Appearing for the center, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma admitted that bungalow 35, Lodhi Estate, was allocated to a Minister of State. He said that no political party can demand the allocation of a specific bungalow for anyone.
Chetan Sharma, citing a long waiting list for government accommodations, said that Kejriwal would be allocated accommodation when possible. Justice Datta expressed displeasure at this and said that on one hand you ask for the hearing to be postponed, and on the other hand, 35 Lodhi Estate has already been allocated to someone else.
Court said – Waiting list cannot be an obstacle in bungalow allocation The Justice told the center – You have no interest in this matter. The same thing happened last time. The waiting list cannot be an obstacle in bungalow allocation. No one has faced a delay in getting a bungalow due to the waiting list before.
The High Court asked the center to state the exact date on which it allocated 35 Lodhi Estate to the Minister of State. It also directed the center to submit a record of the residential arrangement and the policy for bungalow allocation from the waiting list by September 18.
Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court is one of India’s oldest high courts, established in 1966 following the division of the former Punjab High Court. It functions from a classical colonial-era building constructed in the early 20th century, originally housing the Punjab High Court before New Delhi became the capital. The court holds significant historical and judicial authority, serving the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
6, Flagstaff Road
6 Flagstaff Road is a historic residence in the Adelaide suburb of Flagstaff Hill, South Australia. The area is named for the flagstaff erected on a nearby hill in 1838, which was used for signaling ships. The home itself reflects the suburban development and architectural styles of the region in the 20th century.
Mandi House
Mandi House is a prominent cultural and administrative complex in New Delhi, India. It was originally built in the 1930s as the residence for the Raja of Mandi, a princely state. Today, it is best known as the headquarters for national media organizations like Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati and is a major hub for Delhi’s theatre and arts scene.
35, Lodhi Estate
35, Lodhi Estate is a historic colonial-era bungalow located in the prestigious Lodhi Estate area of New Delhi, India. It was built during the British Raj and is part of a protected heritage precinct known for its distinctive architecture and proximity to the 15th-century Lodhi Gardens tombs. The area is now a diplomatic enclave housing several foreign embassies and high commissions.
Lodhi Estate
Lodhi Estate is a prominent neighborhood in New Delhi, India, known for its upscale art galleries, restaurants, and colonial-era bungalows. The area is named after the Lodhi dynasty, which ruled parts of northern India in the 15th and 16th centuries, and it is located near historic landmarks such as the Lodhi Gardens, which contain tombs from that era. Today, it represents a blend of Delhi’s rich history and its modern, cosmopolitan culture.
General Pool
I am unable to provide a summary for “General Pool” as it does not appear to refer to a widely recognized historical place or cultural site. It may refer to a specific local landmark, a colloquial name, or a fictional location. For an accurate summary, more specific context or details would be needed.
Bungalow 35, Lodhi Estate
Bungalow 35 is a historic colonial-era residence located within the prestigious government housing enclave of Lodhi Estate in New Delhi. It was built in the 1940s as part of a planned neighborhood to house government officials, showcasing the distinct architectural style of the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone (LBZ). Today, these heritage properties are highly sought-after and represent a significant period of Delhi’s modern urban development.
35 Lodhi Estate
35 Lodhi Estate is a historic neighborhood in New Delhi, India, named after the Lodhi dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the 15th and 16th centuries. The area is renowned for its proximity to the Lodhi Gardens, which contain the tombs of several rulers from that era. Today, it is a diplomatic enclave housing several foreign embassies and cultural institutions.