Kejriwal to get accommodation within 10 days: Centre to HC

The Central Government on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal will be provided with suitable residential accommodation in the Capital within 10 days.

The assurance was given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta before a Bench of Justice Sachin Datta. “He will be allotted the appropriate accommodation within 10 days from today. You may record my statement,” the Solicitor General submitted.

The proceedings arose from a petition filed by the AAP seeking housing for its national convener in a centrally located part of New Delhi. The party relied on a July 31, 2014 office memorandum of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which entitles presidents of national parties to retain or be allotted one residential accommodation, provided no other allotment has been made in a different capacity.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for AAP, argued that Kejriwal qualified for such allotment and that repeated representations had already been made to the Ministry. He also pressed that the standard of accommodation should not be lowered. “In the past, it has been a Type 7 or 8. They cannot downgrade me to a Type 5,” Mehra said.

Justice Datta noted that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor had recently indicated that the matter would be resolved, and sought clarity from the Centre. Responding, Mehta reiterated that Kejriwal would receive an appropriate residence within 10 days.

The exchange also saw sharp words. While Mehra insisted that the allotment should not amount to a downgrade, the Court remarked that if the party was dissatisfied, it could engage directly with the Solicitor General. At one point, Mehta commented that “Aam Aadmi never fights for Type 8,” to which Mehra replied, “All this sloganeering was for elections, this is court.”

Bringing the hearing to a close, Justice Datta confirmed that the government’s assurance would be formally recorded. “We will note that appropriate accommodation will be given within 10 days. These issues must be settled, not just for politicians but for non-politicians too,” the judge observed.

The Court also made it clear that Kejriwal or the AAP would have the liberty to approach the Ministry again if the allotted residence did not meet the prescribed criteria.