AAP Moves SC Against Alleged ‘Encroachment’ on Land Allotted to Delhi HC

The Aam Aadmi Party has moved the Supreme Court against the immediate removal of an “encroachment” it made on a piece of land allocated to the Delhi High Court at Rouse Avenue.

The party argues that this action would significantly harm both its interests and the fairness of the electoral process, especially in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

In an application submitted as part of an ongoing matter concerning judicial infrastructure, the AAP asserts that it has not encroached upon any space, as it was duly allotted the area in question back in 2015 and has maintained possession since then. The party expresses its readiness to vacate the premises but requests the court to ensure that such vacation only occurs after it has been allotted at least one of the two office spaces it is entitled to in the New Delhi Municipal area, suitable for its status as a National Party.

The application, filed by advocate Prateek K Chadha, highlights that immediate vacation would leave the AAP without any of the two office spaces it is entitled to under relevant guidelines. This, the party argues, would severely prejudice its interests and the fairness of the electoral process, particularly as the other five national parties are operating from their allotted offices in New Delhi.

On February 13, the Supreme Court had directed the Delhi government and the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court to convene a meeting to address the issue of the AAP’s “encroachment” on the contested land.