AAP office allocation: Delhi High Court sets July 25 deadline for Centre

New Delhi, July 16

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted the Centre time till July 25 to decide on the allocation of office space to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here on account of it being recognised as a national party.

The Union Government was previously given six weeks to decide on the matter. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Directorate of Estates requested an additional four weeks, citing the “mammoth” task of allocating official residences to MPs.

However, the High Court rejected this reason, stating that the non-availability of a house in the general pool could not justify delaying the decision.

The AAP argued that the Supreme Court had given the Centre until August 10 to vacate their Rouse Avenue office. The deadline was initially set for June 15, but extended due to the allocation of land for judicial infrastructure by the Delhi High Court. Arguing against further delays, AAP emphasised previous deadlines set by the Supreme Court.

Justice Sanjeev Narula criticised the Centre for seeking further delay without providing a valid reason, and stressed that the national parties were entitled to office space in Delhi. The court expects no more requests for extension beyond July 25, he said.

Earlier, on June 5, the High Court had stated that AAP should be granted office space similar to other national political parties, noting that national parties have the right to one housing unit from the general pool in Delhi for office use. Such partied must pay a license fee, until they acquire land for their own accommodation.

Last year, AAP had filed two petitions in the High Court – one for land to construct offices and another for a housing unit on a licence basis.