New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday extended time for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to vacate its Rouse Avenue party office by August 10. The order was passed after the AAP filed an application seeking an extension of the earlier deadline fixed by the court to vacate by June 15.
The decision was prompted by the court’s acknowledgement that the land was originally allotted for the expansion of judicial infrastructure for the Delhi High Court.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, had also directed the AAP to approach the Land And Development Office (L&DO) for the allotment of alternative land for its offices. The court said that the AAP did not possess any lawful right to continue occupying the designated land.
In the March order, the top court had said, “In view of impending general elections it gives time to AAP till June 15 to vacate its political office located on a plot that was allotted to the Delhi High Court for the purpose of expanding the district judiciary.”
“We would request the L&DO to process the application and communicate its decision within a period of four weeks,” the bench said, highlighting the need for an expeditious resolution.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the AAP, argued that the party holds a national status but has been allocated less favourable premises compared to other national parties. “They are telling us as a national party we get nothing. I’m given Badarpur, while everyone else is in better places,” Singhvi said.
The court took cognisance of the situation and extended the deadline while reiterating the AAP’s obligation to comply with the land allocation for judicial purposes.
The Supreme Court had previously directed the Delhi government and the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court to collaborate in addressing the issue of encroachment by the AAP on the land designated for the High Court at Rouse Avenue.
