High Court Denies Stay on Eviction Notice to Expelled MP Mahua Moitra

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to put a pause on the eviction notice served to ousted Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, demanding she vacate her government-allocated bungalow. Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha remains under challenge in the Supreme Court, a factor influencing the High Court’s decision.

Justice Girish Kathpalia noted the absence of specific regulations governing the eviction process for ex-MPs from government housing. He further emphasized the interconnectedness of the eviction notice validity with the ongoing Supreme Court dispute over Moitra’s expulsion, along with her current lack of entitlement to the accommodation.

“Considering the Supreme Court’s pending judgment on the petitioner’s (Moitra) expulsion and the inseparability of the extension request with that matter, coupled with the petitioner’s lack of current right, this court is unwilling to exercise jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution at this stage to halt the enforcement of the challenged eviction order,” the court stated.

Moitra’s petition against the Directorate of Estates’ eviction notice was scheduled for further hearing on January 24th. She had appealed to the High Court for a stay on the eviction, citing medical reasons for her need to remain in the government residence.

The Directorate of Estates, however, countered Moitra’s claim, asserting that her representations to them mentioned no medical or humanitarian grounds for seeking an extension.