Jammu, Dec 24: A Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu has reluctantly granted time till December 30, 2025, to the Estates Department to comply with earlier court directions regarding government accommodation occupied by two senior political figures.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal extended the time while hearing a public interest litigation concerning the continued occupation of government accommodation by former Chief Minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad and former BJP chief of Jammu and Kashmir Ravinder Raina.
Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, appearing for the Estates Department, informed the court that the process remained inconclusive as the concerned officer was not available due to pressing administrative commitments. She sought a short accommodation to file the required affidavit detailing compliance with the court’s order dated November 17, 2025, and earlier directions to conclude the process based on the recommendations of the Designated Committee.
The court observed that upon being specifically queried, the Senior AAG conceded that the process had not been finalized. The Bench noted its dissatisfaction but allowed time till December 30 to furnish a clear affidavit on the conclusion of proceedings relating to the government accommodation occupied by the two political leaders.
Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate S S Ahmed, assisted by Advocate Supriya Chouhan, submitted that despite nearly ten months having elapsed since the recommendations of the Designated Committee were received, the matter had not been taken to its logical end. He alleged deliberate delay by the Estates Department on account of the status of the occupants and reminded the court that it had earlier directed that no further adjournment be granted.
In a connected matter, the Division Bench also took up another writ petition filed by former MLC Ravinder Sharma. Senior Advocate S M Choudhary, appearing along with Advocate Bilal A Choudhary, submitted that the petitioner was willing to vacate the government premises and hand over physical possession to the Estates authorities, but sought two months’ time to make alternative arrangements. The court permitted him to file a specific affidavit in this regard.
Considering the public importance of the issue, the Division Bench directed the Registry to re-notify the PIL for hearing on December 30, 2025, higher up in the cause list. [KNT]