New Delhi: The Directorate of Estates, the department that manages and maintains the Central government’s official and residential properties, has asked Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra to vacate the government-allotted bungalow immediately. The bungalow had been allotted to her as a Member of Parliament (MP). However, since she was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year over the cash-for-query scandal, the government has asked her to vacate the plush property.
Media reports said that a team of the department will be sent to ensure that the property is “vacated at the earliest”. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8 after the Ethics Panel found her guilty of sharing her parliamentary login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
After her expulsion, the Directorate of Estates directed her to vacate the bungalow by January 7. She moved to the Delhi High Court against the order. On January 4, the Delhi High Court asked the Trinamool leader to approach the Directorate of Estates for permission to occupy the government accommodation allotted to her.
The court observed that per the rules, the authorities can allow a resident to overstay for up to six months. It, however, said the DoE can decide on her case after applying its own mind. The Directorate of Estates sent two eviction notices to her this month.
