Ex-MLC vacates govt quarters, informs High Court; PIL hearing posted to May
12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was informed on Wednesday that former MLC Ravinder Kumar Sharma has vacated the government accommodation he was occupying in Jammu in compliance with earlier court directions.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice RajneshOswal was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking eviction of former ministers and legislators from government accommodation in Jammu and Srinagar.
Advocate Ayush Pangotra, appearing for Sharma, informed the court that the former legislator had vacated the premises and handed over physical possession to the Estates Department in compliance with the court's order dated December 23, 2025.
Sharma had earlier submitted an affidavit before the court undertaking to vacate the premises on or before February 28, 2026.
In view of the development, the division bench disposed of the writ petition filed by Sharma, observing that it had become infructuous.
During the hearing of the main PIL, counsel for the petitioner, advocate S S Ahmed, along with advocates Supriya Chouhan and Mohd Zulkarnain Chowdhary, submitted that the director estates, Jammu and Srinagar, had filed an affidavit regarding the status of government accommodation.
According to the affidavit, the competent authority has allowed retention of residential accommodation in favour of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina till March 2026.
It was stated that after the expiry of the said period, the matter of allotment or retention would be placed before the designated committee for review and necessary orders. The bench observed that the PIL had largely served its purpose and could be closed, with liberty to the petitioner to approach the court again if the cause survives.
However, the petitioner's counsel submitted that several issues still require adjudication, including reco-very of outstanding dues and charging of commercial rent for the period when occupants were not holding public office.
After hearing the submissions, the court adjourned the PIL for further hearing to May 6, 2026.
Share This Story |
|
Comment On This Story |
|
|
|
|