The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
AAP plea for office space in heart of Delhi: HC seeks Centre’s stand
Cantwoplotsintheaamaadmi Party’s possession on DDU Marg be used as their party office till their plea is decided or a solution is reached? The Delhi High Court made this remark while hearing theparty’spleaseekingallotment ofaccommodationforitspartyoffice in the national capital.
In March, the Supreme Court hadaskedtheaaptovacateitsoffice in Rouse Avenue by June 15 as the land in question had been allotted to the Delhi High Court for expansion of judicial infrastructure. During the hearing on Wednesday, the Delhi HC asked the Centre to place its stand in the form of an affidavit and listed the matter on May 20.
A single-judge bench of justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing two petitions filed by AAP last year, seeking allotment of land or a housing unit on a licence basis in the capital for the construction of its office in light of its status as a recognised national party.
On Tuesday the HC had asked the Centre to get instructions on the aspect that a minister in the Aap government, occupying plots 23 and 24 located at Deen Dayal Up ad hy ay(d du) marg,w as ready to forego this allotment if it was given to the party till it got land for construction of its office.
“The question is very simple. In the election period, at least till January (2025) when Delhi is in election mode, a national party is coming to this court saying that ‘this particular plot is in our possession, is with the minister, please permit me to carry out my party work from that building which my minister is willing to forego’. I’m at the stage. That plot numbers 23-24 at DDU Marg which is meant for residential accommodation, is in their (AAP) possession; can it be used for their political office work till their plea is decided or some solution is reached?” the bench orally remarked.