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| HC puts Govt on Final Clock: 4 weeks to Act on Azad–Raina VIP housing row | | |
early times report
Jammu, Nov 19: In a decisive move tightening the noose around continued VIP occupation of government properties, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has granted a last and final opportunity of four weeks to the Estates Department to conclude the process on the Designated Committee’s recommendations concerning government accommodation allotted to former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ex-BJP Chief Ravinder Raina.
The direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, after accepting a request from Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, who appeared for the Government of J&K, for short accommodation of time. The Bench made it explicitly clear that no further adjournment shall be granted under any circumstances.
The matter came up during the hearing of the high-profile PIL No. 17/2020 seeking eviction of former ministers and legislators from government quarters they continue to occupy despite demitting office. During the hearing, Advocate S.S. Ahmed, counsel for the petitioner, pointed out that although the Designated Committee met in February–March 2025, more than eight months have elapsed without a final decision. He submitted that the reason cited in the status report — the Model Code of Conduct enforced due to the Nagrota and Budgam By-Elections — no longer remains valid, as the MCC has already lapsed, and therefore no more than 10 days should be required to finalize the process.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed also produced before the Bench an RTI communication issued by the Estates Department, confirming that a Former Deputy Chief Minister continues to occupy government accommodation in Jammu. The communication was handed over to Sr. AAG Monika Kohli in open court and was also perused by the Division Bench.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed further apprised the court that certain unauthorised VIP occupants, who had already been evicted by the Estates Department, have reportedly obtained injunctions from civil courts, despite eviction proceedings having been undertaken in accordance with Supreme Court directions and under constant monitoring by the High Court in the instant PIL. Taking note of the submission, Chief Justice Arun Palli remarked in open court that the matter would be examined.
After hearing both sides, the Division Bench granted four weeks’ time — the last and final opportunity — to the Estates Department to conclude the process on the recommendations of the Designated Committee regarding the government accommodation of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ravinder Raina, while reiterating that further delay will not be permitted.
Considering the wider public interest attached to the litigation, the court directed the Registry to re-notify the PIL for 23 December 2025 for further hearing. (JNF)
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