Congress MPs Kumari Selja, Ambika Soni agree to vacate type-VIII bungalows: Delhi HC told

NEW DELHI: Congress MPs and former union ministers Kumari Selja and Ambika Soni today told Delhi High Court they had no problem vacating their larger type-VIII bungalows and move to type-VII quarters, to which they are entitled.

A bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Rajiv Shakdher, however, was informed through their lawyers that the type-VII quarters be made available to them in good living condition.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Soni told the court that she has been allotted type-VII bungalow at 84, Lodhi Estate in central Delhi, which was earlier occupied by BJP MP Birendra Singh. However, the condition of the house was bad, he said.

To this, the bench remarked "the Central Public Works Department will repair the house at par with their Director General".

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre said the renovation will be done within six weeks. the ASG also told the court that they have offered four type- VII houses to Selja, who can select one of them.

The bench asked Selja to visit the four houses and select the one she wants and listed the matter for further hearing on August 24.

The court was hearing the appeals filed by both MPs, challenging the single judge July 30 order dismissing their pleas against the Centre's direction to evict them from type-VIII bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi. Costs of Rs 25,000 each was also imposed on them.

The MPs, in their plea, had submitted that they were not saying they were entitled to larger accommodation but rather their contention was "how can the estate office set aside an allotment made by the House Committee".

Central government's Standing Counsel Jasmeet Singh, appearing for the estate office, had opposed the appeals of the MPs.

The MPs in their appeal sought setting aside of the cost of Rs 25,000 imposed on them by the single judge and also some of the observation made in the judgement.

Earlier, on different occasions, three benches of the high court had recused themselves from hearing appeals by Congress MPs.