THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Jan 17: Mahua Moitra, a leader of the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC), was sent a new notice on Wednesday to vacate her government-allocated residence in New Delhi.
The Directorate of Estate (DoE), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has issued Moitra a third notice, asking her to vacate her official residence. This action comes shortly after her expulsion from the Lok Sabha due to her involvement in the ‘cash-for-query’ case.
The notice from the Office of the Estate Officer and Assistant Director of Estates (Litigation), Directorate of Estates stated, “The Applicant vide Letter dated 08.01.2024 requested to initiate eviction proceedings against you under the provisions of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.”
On January 11 of this year, Mahua received a second notice from the Ministry of Urban Development.
Delhi HC asked Moitra to approach DoE, emphasized independent evaluation by DoE
The TMC leader had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, requesting the annulment of the notice issued by the Directorate of Estate that revoked her official government residence in New Delhi.
On January 4, the Delhi High Court asked the TMC leader to formally approach the Directorate of Estate (DoE) with a plea seeking permission to retain her allocated government residence.
In addressing Moitra’s appeal against an official notice asking her to vacate the government bungalow by January 7, Justice Subramoniun Prasad pointed out that the regulations allowed the authorities to grant an extension of stay of up to six months to a resident under special circumstances, provided certain fees were paid.
The court acknowledged that it had not made any observations regarding the merits of the case and permitted Moitra to withdraw her petition. The court emphasized that the Directorate of Estate (DoE) should independently evaluate her case and make decisions based on its own considerations.
On December 8 of last year, Moitra was found guilty of “unethical conduct” and expelled from the Lok Sabha for purportedly receiving gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and giving him access to her username and password for the Parliament website.