Today, On 7th July, The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to respond to AAP’s plea against the rent demand for its party office at Vithalbhai Patel House. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 22.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday requested a response from the Centre regarding a plea filed by A concerning the rent demand for its party office located in Vithalbhai Patel House in the capital.
Justice Sachin Datta issued a notice to the Centre in response to A’s challenge against the cancellation of the allotment for its office suite.
The court instructed the authorities to submit their reply within two weeks and scheduled the next hearing for July 22.
Also Read: Delhi High Court Issues Notice to AAP Leader Atishi on Election Petition
After A’s counsel requested a stay on the reminder notice demanding rent dated June 20, the Centre’s lawyer assured that “nothing” would occur before the next hearing.
The Centre’s counsel maintained that there was no urgency in the matter, as it involved merely a notice and that procedures would follow the Public Premises Act.
A contended that the decision by the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, was made ex parte and without providing any showcause notice or reasonable opportunity for the petitioner to be heard.
Also Read: Plea in Delhi HC Seeks ECI Action Against AAP’s Mahila Samman Scheme
The counsel argued that the Directorate of Estates had allegedly canceled the allotment of a double suite at Vithalbhai Patel House, effective September 14, 2024, without prior notification, only informing the petitioner belatedly via a letter dated January 17.
The petitioner surrendered possession of the premises on April 30, according to the counsel.
In a subsequent plea, A stated that the Directorate of Estates had re-issued bills on June 20 as a reminder, thereby reaffirming the arbitrary eviction of the petitioner from its state party office due to the ex parte cancellation order set for September 14, 2024.
Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal Meets AAP MLAs | Vows to Hold BJP Accountable After Delhi Election Defeat
A noted that in letters dated March 6 and May 13, the authority demanded over Rs.8 lakh in rent for occupying the premises from the date of the alleged cancellation. Consequently, the petitioner urged the court to stay this communication.
A’s plea stated,
“Directorate of Estates passed an ex parte order cancelling the allotment of the subject accommodation, that is, Double Suite at 514, VP House, New Delhi, to the petitioner, with an ultimatum of handing over its physical possession within a period of thirty days. This ex parte order has not been conveyed to the petitioner to date,”