- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court Kejriwal will be allotted a suitable residence within 10 days.
- Justice Sachin Datta said the housing allotment policy must be transparent and cover politicians and non-politicians.
- Kejriwal’s counsel argued he is entitled to a Type 7 or 8 bungalow, not a downgraded Type 5.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Sept: The Centre on Thursday assured the Delhi High Court that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal will be provided a government residence within 10 days. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing virtually before Justice Sachin Datta, said, “He will be allotted the appropriate accommodation within 10 days from today. You may record my statement.”
Justice Datta accepted the assurance, stressing that the allotment process should be transparent and not left pending. He also noted that the policy for government housing must apply fairly to both politicians and non-politicians.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Kejriwal, argued that the AAP leader is entitled to a Type 7 or Type 8 bungalow and accused the government of trying to downgrade him to a Type 5. The judge suggested dialogue over litigation, allowing Kejriwal to approach the ministry directly to resolve the matter.
Kejriwal vacated his official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road in October 2024 after resigning as Chief Minister and has been staying in a party member’s quarters near Mandi House. The AAP has sought the bungalow at 35 Lodhi Estate, earlier occupied by BSP chief Mayawati, but the Centre said it was already allotted to a Minister of State and that parties cannot demand a specific property.
The High Court will pass a formal order later, having earlier criticised delays and sought details of the government’s housing policy, the waiting list, and the date of the Lodhi Estate re-allotment.
