Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year, approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a notice asking her to vacate her government bungalow. The matter has been listed before the bench of Justice Girish Kathpaliya.
The Trinamool Congress leader was issued an eviction notice by the Directorate of Estates (DoE) on Tuesday. Mahua Moitra was asked to vacate the bungalow immediately, which had been allotted to her as an Member of the Parliament. The DoE manages and maintains the Central government’s official and residential properties.
Reportedly on Wednesday, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had sent her another notice to vacate the house. Reports further stated that since the eviction notice was issued to Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Tuesday, a team of officials from the directorate of estates will now be sent to ensure that the government bungalow is vacated at the earliest.
TMC leader Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8 last year. She had been instructed to vacate her allotted residence by January 7 following the cancellation of her allotment.
The DoE issued a notice to her on January 8, giving her three days to respond regarding her failure to vacate the government accommodation. Subsequently, another notice followed on January 12. Meanwhile on January 4, the Delhi HIgh Court directed the TMC leader to approach the DoE, seeking permission to continue occupying the government accommodation allotted to her.
Justice Subramoniun Prasad, who is representing Mahua Moitra’s challenge to an official notice requiring her to vacate the government bungalow by January 7, acknowledged that rules permitted authorities to allow residents to overstay for up to six months under exceptional circumstances, with certain charges applicable. The Delhi High Court said that the Directorate of Estates should independently assess her case and make a decision.
Notably, Mahua Moitra was held guilty of unethical conduct and expelled from Lok Sabha on December 8 last year for allegedly accepting gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her user ID and password of the Parliament website with him.