New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court denying the charges of encroachment of the High Court land here.
The AAP said that no encroachment has been made on the land meant for the judiciary at Rouse Avenue in Delhi.
Denying the allegations of encroachment, AAP said that the land was allotted to it on December 31, 2015, for its State Unit Office. In 2023, L&DO stated that the same land was earmarked for Rouse Avenue Court expansion. Further, it was highlighted that the notice served to it for cancellation of the said allotment was also set aside by the Delhi High Court on August 23, 2017.
The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra had taken note of the issue on February 13 and made adverse observations against AAP.
Amicus Curiae K Parameshwar had informed the court that when the Delhi High Court officials went to take possession of the land allotted to them, it was found that a political party’s office was built there and they could not take the land back. ”
AAP in its application sought intervention in the matter and said that it should be heard before the Court passes directions in the matter.
AAP’s application clarified that the allotment of office space for official party work is an essential element of public funding of elections in India and is designed to level the playing field.
The party insisted that there has been no explanation on why due diligence was not exercised by the L&DO by examining the pre-existing status of the land and its vacancy.
The party said that even though it made requests for an alternative space in 2017, the request was not heeded.
AAP said that it is willing to vacate the premises but requests the Court to ensure that it has allotted an alternate space as per its status as a National Party. AAP pointed out that as per Government of India guidelines, National parties are entitled to spaces in Delhi.
Immediate vacation will mean that the AAP will be left with none of the office spaces it is entitled to under the Guidelines and will be unfair, given the impending General Elections and the fact that the other 5 national parties operate out of their allotted offices in Delhi, AAP said.
