Delhi high court takes serious view of 'arbitrary' property allotments

The Delhi high court on Wednesday took serious notice of the arbitrary allotment of prime government property to senior leaders, political parties and trusts.

Taking suo motu notice of the allotments, a division bench comprising Justices Mahinder Narain and S K Mahajan directed the central government to file within two weeks an additional affidavit listing the steps taken to examine the legality of such allotments.

The bench asked central government counsel K C Mittal on what ground 16 properties were allotted to the Congress party. It also wanted to know why there was a difference in the number of allotments made to the Congress as per a Supreme Court judgment and the list available before the court.

''Did the Centre present a 'real' picture before the apex court in a similar matter?'' the court asked Mittal.

''In any case, how can premises be allotted to political parties for official purposes in a residential locality?'' the court said.

The court also questioned the Centre about bungalows like 1, Motilal Nehru Marg which was allotted to the late prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's widow Lalita. After her death, a trust in Lal Bahadur Shastri's name has been occupying the bungalow. Similarly, 6, Krishna Menon Marg, once occupied by the late Jagjivan Ram, was allotted to his daughter Meira Kumar when she became a member of Parliament. At present, the bungalow is occupied by the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Trust without any formal permission.

''Is an MP, entering Parliament for the first time, entitled to a house like 6, Krishna Menon Marg? If not, on what grounds was Kumar allotted the house?'' the judges asked.

Mittal said he would place on record all relevant facts related to the matter. The case was then adjourned to November 5.

UNI