New Delhi: The Directorate of Estates, under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, sent a team Friday to evict former Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra from her official residence in Delhi.
Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month, lost a plea in the Delhi High Court Thursday for a stay on the eviction proceedings.
The eviction drive was to be conducted at 9B Telegraph Lane, the house that was given to Moitra after she became a first-time MP in 2019.
The Trinamool leader was expelled on 8 December, after the Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee ruled her conduct “unethical”. She was accused of taking “bribes” for asking questions in Parliament on behalf of Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani, to allegedly target billionaire Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Moitra has denied the charges.
Moitra was also accused of sharing her login ID and password of the Lok Sabha portal with Hiranandani.
The Trinamool leader had moved the high court against the eviction, arguing that her plea against the expulsion was still pending before the Supreme Court.
Justice Girish Kathpalia reportedly said no specific rule had been brought before the court which deals with the eviction of members of Parliament from government accommodation after they cease to be MPs.
“To conclude, in view of the pendency of the issue of expulsion of petitioner (Moitra) before the Supreme Court and the issue of extension of time to vacate the government accommodation being inextricably linked with that, coupled with the fact that as on date petitioner has no right, this court is not inclined to invoke jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India at this stage to restrain the operation of the impugned eviction order. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed,” said the order.
The Directorate of Estates had issued her a notice of eviction on 8 January, as an allottee of a residential accommodation has one month to vacate premises after becoming ineligible.
The department sent her another notice earlier this week, asking to vacate the bungalow immediately.
Also read: Mahua Moitra served eviction notice to vacate govt bungalow after suspension from Parliament
This Government has ABSOLUTELY NO CLASS.What they dont understand that these people are in Opposition and not personal enemies. Hence should be treated with respect due to a Member of Parliament,not with the contempt the BJP has for all Non BJP people…What a shame.