New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Centre on a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking a residential accommodation for its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in a centrally located area in the city.
Justice Sanjeev Narula issued notice to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and directed it to file its counter-affidavit to AAP’s plea within a period of two weeks.
“Issue notice”, the High Court said and added, “Counter affidavit be filed within a period of two weeks from today. Rejoinder thereto, if any, be filed within a period of one week thereafter.”
Kejriwal is currently residing at an accommodation allotted to an AAP MP
As per the reports, Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister, is currently residing at an accommodation allotted to an AAP MP in central Delhi after vacating his official residence that was allotted to him in the capacity of the Delhi Chief Minister.
AAP has sought directions to the Centre for allotment of a residential accommodation to Kejriwal
The AAP has sought directions to the Centre for allotment of a residential accommodation to AAP national convenor Kejriwal in a centrally located area of the national capital. The plea by AAP has said that it is a national party recognized by the Election Commission of India and has placed reliance on a Rule in an Office Memorandum dated July 31, 2014, which stipulates that one residential accommodation would be allotted/allowed to be retained by the Party President of a recognized National Party provided that no other accommodation has been allotted to him/ her in any other capacity.
What did the AAP argue before the High Court?
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, who appeared for the AAP, emphasised during the hearing of the matter before the High Court that all the conditions specified in the Office Memorandum dated July 31,2014 stand fulfilled. He also pointed out that the AAP has already made a request for the allotment of residential accommodation through communication dated September 20, 2024 followed by a reminder dated September 27, 2024 addressed to the respondents. He further stated that the request of the AAP is backed by several precedents, which it has delineated in its writ petition.
The High Court has directed that matter be renotified on November 26.
