delhi-hc-to-decide-on-aap-office-space-plea

On Monday, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on a plea by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking temporary allotment of space for a party office. Justice Subramonium Prasad has scheduled the announcement for June 5 and has listed the plea for permanent office space for June 10.

 

Previously, the High Court had directed the Central Government to respond to AAP's petition for temporary office space. AAP is required to vacate its current office on DDU Marg by June 15, following an undertaking given to the Supreme Court. Senior counsel for AAP argued that the party should be provided with temporary space on DDU Marg.

 

The High Court is handling two petitions from AAP, one for temporary office space and another for permanent office space in Central Delhi. Central Government counsel Kirtimaan Singh stated that no vacant land is available on DDU Marg.

 

He mentioned that in 2024, the party was offered land in Saket, which they declined. Before becoming a national party in 2023, AAP had not requested land in Central Delhi. Singh added that they found no available land on DDU Marg during an inspection and instead offered two plots in Saket in 2024.

 

The court noted that AAP argued they were not being treated equally and were being allocated land in a distant location. Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog suggested that two plots currently occupied by an AAP Minister could be used for the party office.

 

The court questioned whether these plots, which were not officially allotted but occupied, could be used temporarily.

 

During the hearing, Singh stated that the occupied plots would need to be handed over before being considered for office use. He also noted that AAP had an office in Kaushambi. Nandrajog countered, calling it an attempt to mislead the court.

 

The court inquired whether there was a waiting list for national political parties and whether houses were earmarked for such use. Nandrajog questioned if AAP could construct a building by June 15 if land was allotted to them immediately.

 

The court also asked if the plots currently occupied by the Delhi Minister could be temporarily assigned to AAP, pending the outcome of the petitions.