Does Centre give accommodation to Z&Z+ protectees: HC asks MHA

NEW DELHI: With Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, fighting to retain her bungalow in the Lutyens zone on the ground of having Z and Z plus security, the Delhi High Court today asked the Centre whether any accommodation is provided by the government to such protectees.

"File your counter affidavit on how many security personnel are required under Z and Z plus. What kind of accommodation is given to Z and Z plus protectees? Are they living in private accommodation? Give details of that as well," Justice Indermeet Kaur said while asking the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to apprise the court by August 12.

The direction came as Payal Abdullah contended she and her children are Z and Z plus protectees, respectively, and need suitable accommodation which can house the 94 personnel in their security detail.

On the other hand, the Jammu and Kashmir government told the court that Z and Z plus protectees get only four to five security personnel and the 94 personnel that Payal Abdullah was referring to were there as it was the residence of the J&K CM.

Central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia orally supported the contention of J&K government, but as nothing was on record before the court, it directed MHA to file an affidavit stating how many security personnel are provided to such protectees and whether they also get government accommodation.

With these directions the court listed the matter for further hearing on August 12.

Payal Abdullah, in her plea, has sought that she and her children be not evicted from 7, Akbar Road (type VIII) bungalow or an alternate accommodation be provided in view of their security status and threat to their lives.