Centre Promises Appropriate Accommodation to Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi HC Hears AAP Plea

Delhi: The Centre on Thursday assured the Delhi High Court that it will provide suitable government accommodation to AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal within ten days. The assurance was given before Justice Sachin Datta, who emphasized that issues regarding allotment of government residences should be resolved promptly.

The hearing was in response to a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party, seeking directions for allotment of a bungalow to Kejriwal after he vacated his Flagstaff Road residence earlier this month.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court, “He will be allotted the appropriate accommodation within 10 days from today. You may record my statement.” The statement followed the court’s observation that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had already indicated that the matter would be resolved soon.

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing AAP, stressed that Kejriwal should not be downgraded from his previous entitlement. “It has been a Type 7 or 8. They cannot downgrade me to a Type 5. I am not favoured. I’m not Bahujan Samaj Party,” he said.

The court responded, “If you are not happy, don’t take it. The solution lies in you having a conversation with the SG.” To which Mehta quipped, “Aam Aadmi never fights for type 8.” Mehra countered, “All this sloganeering was appropriate at elections, this is court.”

Justice Datta noted that he had recorded the submissions and would pronounce the order later, while stressing the need for a systematic resolution of housing allotments, adding, “The practice of Ministry has to be noted. Not just this time for politicians but for non-politicians as well. It is an issue that has to be resolved.”

The court further clarified that Kejriwal and the AAP would be free to approach the government again if they are not satisfied with the accommodation allotted.

According to the petition, Kejriwal vacated his official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road on October 4, 2024, after resigning as Delhi Chief Minister. Since then, he has been staying at the official residence of another party member near Mandi House.