The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre in a petition filed by a political party challenging a rent demand notice and the cancellation of its office allotment at Vithalbhai Patel House in the national capital.
Justice Sachin Datta issued notice to the Union government and directed it to file a reply within two weeks. The matter will be heard next on July 22.
The petitioner party has contested the Directorate of Estates’ decision to cancel its office allotment — a double suite — with effect from September 14, 2024. It claimed the order was issued ex parte, without any prior showcause notice or an opportunity to be heard, and was only conveyed months later through a letter dated January 17, 2025.
According to the plea, the party vacated the premises on April 30 but was subsequently issued a reminder notice on June 20 demanding rent exceeding ₹8 lakh for the intervening period. The demand, the petitioner argued, effectively reaffirmed its arbitrary eviction.
The party’s counsel urged the court to stay the June 20 reminder, but the Centre’s lawyer contended that there was no urgency, asserting that it was merely a notice issued in accordance with the Public Premises Act and that “nothing” would happen until the next hearing.
The petition also referred to earlier rent demand letters dated March 6 and May 13, which reiterated the financial liability for occupying the premises post the alleged cancellation date.
“The Directorate of Estates passed an ex parte order cancelling the allotment of the subject accommodation… with an ultimatum to vacate within 30 days. This order has still not been formally conveyed to the petitioner,” the plea stated, calling the actions arbitrary and legally untenable.
The high court will now assess the legality of the rent demand and the manner in which the cancellation order was issued and communicated.
