A public interest litigation before the Delhi High Court alleges that DDA land allotted for the Lakshadweep Bhawan in Chanakyapuri has been developed into a commercial hotel; the allegations are the petitioner’s and have not been tested.
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has allowed a petitioner to amend a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at a concessional rate for the Daman, Diu and Lakshadweep Bhawans in Chanakyapuri has been used to run a commercial hotel and cafeteria. The petition’s contentions are allegations and the Court has recorded no finding on them [PIL against DDA and Others].
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma heard the plea. The petitioner and the case number were not reported.
What the petition alleges
According to the petition, the land was allotted at a concessional rate for a public purpose but was instead developed through a private entrepreneur into a hotel run under the Ginger Hotels brand, with dynamic room rates of not less than Rs 7,000 on a given day. The petitioner argues that this violates the terms of the allotment and the Directive Principles of State Policy, and ignores the accommodation needs of Lakshadweep residents visiting Delhi. The DDA’s response was not reported.
The directions
The Bench asked the petitioner’s counsel how the allotment deed could be obtained. It recorded that the petitioner would approach the DDA within three days for a copy of the deed, and that the DDA’s counsel assured the Court it would be provided within a fortnight of the request. The petitioner was allowed to amend the PIL with supporting pleadings, to be filed within four weeks, and the matter is to be listed after six weeks.
Why the order matters
The Court has not examined the merits. By asking for the allotment deed first, it has made the terms of the allotment the starting point for any inquiry into whether the land is being used as intended. The outcome will depend on what the deed says and on the DDA’s reply.
Case Title: PIL against Delhi Development Authority and Others (petitioner and case number not reported)
Bench: Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, Delhi High Court