Delhi HC Asks Mahua Moitra to Approach Directorate of Estates

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed Mahua Moitra, expelled Lok Sabha member and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, to seek permission from the Directorate of Estates to continue occupying the government-allotted accommodation.

Justice Subramoniun Prasad acknowledged that the rules allowed authorities to permit the overstay of a resident for a specific period in exceptional circumstances.

“Submit a representation before the Directorate of Estates, and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” stated the judge.

The court permitted Moitra to withdraw the current petition, emphasizing that the law mandated providing notice to a resident before eviction from a premises. The court added that the government would take steps to evict the petitioner in accordance with the law.

In her petition, Moitra requested the setting aside of the Directorate of Estates’ December 11 order, or alternatively, permission to retain possession of the accommodation until the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are declared. Moitra was found guilty of “unethical conduct” and expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2023, for allegedly accepting gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her user ID and password for the Parliament website with him.

She has already challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court following the Lok Sabha’s adoption of the ethics committee’s report recommending her removal.