Justice Sanjeev Narula noted that ample time had already been given to the authority to decide on the office space issue, and he indicated reluctance to grant an additional four-week extension.
New Delhi: Today (16th July): The Delhi High Court has granted the Centre an extension until July 25 to determine the allocation of office space to the APP arty, which has been recognized as a national party.
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On June 5, the Delhi High Court initially gave the Centre six weeks to decide on the Aam Aadmi Party’s request regarding office space. On Tuesday, the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, requested an additional four weeks to comply, citing its ongoing task of allocating accommodations to parliamentarians.
The senior counsel representing the Aam Aadmi Party objected to the Centre’s request, highlighting that the six-week deadline ends on Wednesday. The Supreme Court had previously granted the party time until August 10 as a final opportunity to vacate its current office at Rouse Avenue.
In March, the Supreme Court had initially granted the Aam Aadmi Party time until June 15 to vacate the office, noting that the land was allotted to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure.
The senior counsel argued that seeking an extension at this late stage would unfairly deprive the party of a remedy. They pointed out that the Centre had not previously informed the Supreme Court of any inability to comply with the Delhi High Court’s directive regarding the office space allotment.
READ ALSO: Supreme Court Sets Deadline for AAP to Vacate Offices at Rouse Avenue To June 15
“Tomorrow marks the completion of six weeks… You chose not to appear before this court. What is the purpose of appearing now at the last moment? If you have no intention to grant the allotment, why not issue a reasoned order stating so?”
the senior counsel questioned.
Justice Sanjeev Narula noted that ample time had already been given to the authority to decide on the office space issue, and he indicated reluctance to grant an additional four-week extension.
“However, considering the overall facts and circumstances, the court has extended the time period until July 25, 2024. The court expects that no further applications seeking extension will be submitted by the applicant,”
the court stated.
On June 5, the high court ruled that the _Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is entitled to office space in New Delhi similar to other national political parties. It directed the Centre to make a decision on the matter within six weeks. The court emphasized that national political parties have the right to secure an allotment from the general housing pool in Delhi for office use, paying a license fee until they acquire land for their own accommodation.
The high court also noted that “pressure” or lack of availability in the general pool cannot justify rejecting the AAP’s request.
If the Centre rejects the AAP’s representation, the party was advised in the June order to take appropriate legal steps.
READ ALSO: Delhi HC Reserves Decision on AAP’s Plea for Temporary Office Space Allocation
Last year, the AAP approached the high court with two petitions: one seeking land for office construction in the national capital and another requesting a temporary housing unit on a license basis. The petition for land allocation is still pending in the high court.
During court proceedings, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party argued that since other national parties have already been allotted land for their offices in central New Delhi, similar treatment should be extended to the AAP based on its status as a recognized national party under Centre’s policies.
