In a setback to suspended MP Mahua Moitra, the Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the eviction notices of the Directorate of Estate to the Trinamool Congress leader asking her to vacate her government accommodation.
Justice Girish Kathpalia said no specific rule has been brought before the court which would deal with the eviction of members of Parliament from government accommodation after they cease to be MPs.
“To conclude, in view of the pendency of the issue of expulsion of petitioner (Moitra) before the Supreme Court and the issue of extension of time to vacate the government accommodation being inextricably linked with that, coupled with the fact that as on date petitioner has no right, this court is not inclined to invoke jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India at this stage to restrain the operation of the impugned eviction order. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed,” the court said in its detailed order.
The court listed the petition of Trinamool Congress leader in which she has challenged the eviction notice issued by the Directorate of Estates for further hearing on January 24.
Moitra was asked to vacate the government bungalow due to her expulsion from the Lok Sabha last year. The house was allotted to her as a Member of Parliament and since she no longer holds the post, the department sent her the eviction notice.
The DoE is responsible for managing and maintaining the Centre’s officials and residential properties.
DoE had sent the eviction notice to Moitra on Tuesday. “Since the eviction notice was issued to her (Moitra) on Tuesday, a team of officials from the directorate of estates will now be sent to ensure that the government bungalow is vacated at the earliest,” a source told news agency PTI.
Following her expulsion on December 8 last year, Moitra was asked to vacate the bungalow by January 7 as her allotment was cancelled.
DoE on January 8, issued a notice seeking her response within three days as to why she had not vacated her government accommodation. Another notice was then issued to her on January 12.
The Delhi High Court, on January 4, had even asked the TMC leader to approach the DoE with a request to allow her to reside in the government accommodation allotted to her.
The TMC leader was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month after she was held guilty of “unethical conduct” over alleged acceptance of gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. She also allegedly shared her user ID and password of the Parliament website with him.
(With PTI inputs)
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