The High Court directed the Central agencies to file their response within two weeks and posted the matter for July 22.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to respond to a plea by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against the demand for rent for its party office in Vithalbhai Patel House.
The notice was issued in response to a fresh petition in an ongoing case based on the party’s challenge to the Centre’s decision cancelling the allotment of a suite in the residential-cum-office complex to AAP. The court directed the authorities to file their response within two weeks and posted the matter for July 22.
AAP told the court that the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, cancelled the allotment of a suite on September 14, 2024 and that the party was informed about the decision on January 17 this year. AAP has contended that the decision was made without prior notice, and even after it vacated the office on April 30 this year, it was illegally charged ₹8 lakh as rent.
After AAP’s counsel urged the court to stay a reminder notice on June 20 demanding the rent, the Centre’s lawyer said the matter was not urgent as only a notice had been issued. The Centre assured the court that it would proceed in line with the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
Published – July 08, 2025 12:57 am IST
