HC seeks UT affidavit on policy for Azad, Raina to retain government bungalows

15/10/2026

JAMMU, Oct 14: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has sought an affidavit from the Union Territory administration clarifying the legal framework governing the retention of government residential accommodation by former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina until March 2027.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri sought the clarification while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Prof. S.K. Bhalla.
The Bench asked the administration to explain the policy governing the allotment and retention of official accommodation by political persons and the authority under which the designated committee recommended extending the allotments.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate S.S. Ahmad, assisted by Advocate Supriya Chauhan, appearing for the petitioner, referred to an earlier order dated December 26, 2022, in which a Division Bench had declined to protect occupants of government properties from eviction merely on security grounds.
The petitioner's counsel argued that security considerations alone could not justify continued retention of government accommodation and relied upon the Supreme Court judgment in S.D. Bandi v. Divisional Traffic Officer, KSRTC & Others, reported in (2013) 12 SCC 631, and the Delhi High Court judgment in Dr. Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India.
Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, appearing for the UT administration, submitted a compliance report dated September 12, 2026, explaining the procedure followed for extending the allotments.
She informed the Court that the cases concerning Azad and Raina were placed before a designated committee at its meeting on August 14, 2026. The committee recommended continuation of the allotments, and its recommendations were subsequently placed before the competent authority.
According to the administration, the competent authority permitted both leaders to retain their government accommodation until March 2027 or the next review, whichever is earlier.
The Bench sought clarification on the policy under which these decisions were taken and the source of the designated committee's authority to recommend continuation of the allotments.
Senior AAG Monika Kohli sought time to file an appropriate affidavit addressing the issues raised by the Court. The Bench granted the request.
The matter remains pending, and the Court has not yet made any final determination regarding the legality of the allotments.

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