Delhi High Court Denies Stay on Eviction Notice for Expelled TMC Leader Mahua Moitra

In a recent development, the Delhi High Court on January 18th declined to grant a stay on the eviction notice issued to Mahua Moitra, a former Lok Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader who was expelled from the Parliament. Justice Girish Kathpalia, in his detailed order, emphasized that Moitra, having been suspended as an MP, does not possess the right to continue residing in the government bungalow. The court highlighted the absence of specific rules governing the eviction of former MPs from government accommodations post-expulsion.

Moitra, who has challenged the eviction notice issued by the Directorate of Estates (DoE), appealed to the court, citing her single status and ongoing medical treatment as reasons to delay her eviction. Senior advocate Brij Gupta, representing Moitra, asserted her readiness to pay charges but pleaded not to be ousted from the premises immediately. The court has listed Moitra’s petition for further hearing on January 24, acknowledging the interconnection between her expulsion case and the eviction order. Despite Moitra’s request for a four-month extension to vacate the property, the court questioned the need for such a lengthy period, suggesting a shorter timeframe.

Moitra was initially directed to vacate the bungalow by January 7, following the cancellation of the allotment, and received a notice to evacuate immediately on January 16. This decision marks a crucial development in Moitra’s legal battle, raising questions about the rights of expelled MPs to government accommodations and the timeframe for eviction in such cases. The court’s stance reflects the complexities surrounding the expulsion issue currently pending before the Supreme Court and the impending hearing on Moitra’s challenge to the eviction notice.

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