SC Directs AAP to Vacate Rouse Avenue Offices, Grants Time for New Land Allotment

Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, has been directed by the Supreme Court to vacate its offices at Rouse Avenue in the capital city. The court observed that the land was initially allotted to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure. AAP has been given time until June 15, 2024, to vacate the premises. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, instructed AAP to approach the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to seek suitable land for its offices. Emphasizing that AAP currently lacks the lawful right to continue occupying the allotted land, the bench requested the L&DO to process the application and communicate its decision within four weeks.

In the wake of upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the court granted AAP time until June 15 to vacate the premises, enabling the allocated land to be utilized for expanding the district judiciary’s footprint expeditiously. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing AAP, argued that the party is one of the six national parties in the country and expressed dissatisfaction with the land allotment in Badarpur.

Considering AAP’s plea, the court allowed the party to approach the center-led L&DO for new land allotment, stressing that the request should be processed within four weeks. The bench clarified that AAP was not a lawful occupant of the land in question after 2015. When AAP sought to vacate only after securing an alternative plot, the Chief Justice directed Singhvi to find a solution independently, stating, “You can’t use our good offices for getting land or building allotted.”

In response to the Supreme Court’s order, AAP’s chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar expressed respect for the court’s decision and hoped that the BJP would not engage in regressive and negative politics regarding the matter.

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