Today, On 25th September, The Central Government has informed the Delhi High Court that Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will be provided suitable accommodation within ten days. The assurance comes amid ongoing legal proceedings regarding his residential entitlement.
The Central government assured the Delhi High Court that national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, would be provided with suitable accommodation within ten days.
This statement was made before Bench by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The case heard before Justice Sachin Datta.
SG Mehta stated,
“He will be allotted the appropriate accommodation within 10 days from today. You may record my statement,”
The Court indicated that it would include the SG’s statement in its forthcoming order. This hearing was part of a petition filed by the AAP requesting residential accommodation for Kejriwal in a central area of New Delhi.
The AAP argued that according to an office memorandum issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on July 31, 2014, the president of a national party is entitled to either be allotted or retain one residential accommodation, provided that no other accommodation has been allocated in any other capacity.
It was asserted that Kejriwal qualifies for such accommodation and that AAP had already submitted representations to the Ministry regarding this matter.
The Court had requested the Centre’s response in October of the previous year.
During today’s proceedings, the Court noted that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had recently indicated that the matter would be resolved soon. In response, SG Mehta assured that suitable accommodation would be provided to Kejriwal within ten days.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the AAP, emphasized that the accommodation provided must not be of a lower standard than what Kejriwal had previously been allotted.
He remarked,
“It has been a Type 7 or 8. They cannot downgrade me to a Type 5. I’m not favoured, I’m not Bahujan Samaj Party,”
The Court responded,
“If you are not happy, don’t take it. Solution lies in you having a conversation with the SG,”
SG Mehta remarked,
“Aam Aadmi never fights for type 8,”
Mehra countered,
“All this sloganeering was appropriate at elections, this is court,”
Justice Datta concluded by stating,
“I will record that appropriate accommodation will be given within 10 days. We will record your statement and pass an order.”
He added that such matters need to be resolved.
He stated,
“The practice of the Ministry has to be noted. Not just this time for politicians but for non-politicians as well. It is an issue that has to be resolved,”
The Court also mentioned that it would grant AAP/Kejriwal the freedom to approach the government if the allotted accommodation does not meet their satisfaction.
Justice Datta said,
“I will give you liberty to approach the Ministry,”