The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, ordering them to vacate their New Delhi headquarters situated on land allocated for the expansion of judicial infrastructure by the Delhi High Court.
In a hearing on Monday, March 4, 2024, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra instructed AAP to vacate their offices at Rouse Avenue in the capital city, citing that the land was initially allotted to the Delhi High Court for the purpose of judicial expansion.
AAP has been granted time until June 15, 2024, to vacate the premises, as per the ruling of the top court. The bench directed the party to approach the Land And Development Office (L&DO) to seek an allocation of suitable land for their offices.
“We would request the L&DO to process the application and communicate its decision within a period of four weeks,” the bench stated, highlighting that AAP currently lacks any legal entitlement to continue occupying the allotted land.
Considering the impending Lok Sabha elections, the court granted AAP an extension until June 15 to vacate the premises, enabling the land allocated for the expansion of the district judiciary to be utilized promptly.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the ruling party, argued that AAP holds the status of one of the six national parties in the country. Singhvi expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “They are telling us, as a national party, we get nothing. I’m given Badarpur, while everyone else is in better places.”
“We have told the Centre that we need a central office in the NDMC area. Give me any other place. They are giving me Badarpur,” Singhvi added.
Acknowledging AAP’s plea, the Supreme Court permitted the party to approach the Centre-led L&DO for a new land allotment, stressing that the request should be processed lawfully within four weeks.
The bench clarified that AAP ceased to hold lawful occupancy of the disputed land after 2015. Despite AAP’s insistence on vacating only after securing an alternative plot, the Chief Justice directed Singhvi to seek a solution independently, stating, “You can’t use our good offices for getting land or building allotted.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling signals a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the allocation of land, underscoring the need for adherence to legal procedures in matters concerning property allocation and occupation.
As the deadline approaches, AAP will be required to adhere to the court’s directive and vacate the premises, allowing for the intended expansion of the district judiciary’s infrastructure in accordance with legal protocols.
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