Move estate directorate, HC tells Mahua Moitra on bid to retain govt house

NEW DELHI: The Delhi HC Thursday asked TMC's Mahua Moitra, expelled as Lok Sabha member in the cash-for-query row, to approach the Centre's Directorate of Estates to continue occupying her government accommodation. Moitra has been asked to vacate by January 7.

A single judge bench of Justice Subramoniun Prasad noted that the rules permitted the authorities to allow overstay for a certain period in exceptional circumstances and directed Mahua to move a representation before the directorate.

"The action will be taken in accordance with the law," the bench said.

The HC then allowed Mahua to withdraw her petition while observing that the law mandated notice before eviction.

Mahua had challenged the directorate's notice of December 11, 2023, to leave the house. She argued that the legality of her expulsion was pending before Supreme Court and, therefore, the notice was illegal.

She sought the notice to be set aside or, alternative, being allowed to retain possession of the house till the results of this year's Lok Sabha elections, said our source on the condition of anonymity.