In a recent development, the Directorate of Estates issued an eviction notice to Mahua Moitra, the former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month. The notice mandates Moitra to vacate her government bungalow, originally allotted to her as a Member of Parliament. According to sources in the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, the directive requires immediate compliance.
This move comes after Moitra’s allotment was canceled, and she was initially asked to vacate the premises by January 7. Despite repeated notices, the TMC leader, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8, had not complied with the eviction order. The Directorate of Estates, in light of the non-compliance, has now dispatched a team to oversee the prompt evacuation of the government bungalow.
On January 4, the Delhi High Court intervened in the matter, instructing Moitra to approach the Directorate of Estates with a request to continue occupying the allotted government accommodation. The court highlighted that rules permitted authorities to allow residents to overstay for up to six months in exceptional circumstances, subject to certain charges. The court emphasized adherence to proper legal procedures in eviction cases and allowed Moitra to withdraw her petition, placing the decision firmly in the hands of the Directorate of Estates.
Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha in December 2023 stemmed from allegations of “unethical conduct.” She was accused of accepting gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her user ID and password for the Parliament website with him. As the eviction proceedings unfold, legal intricacies and the Directorate of Estates’ decision-making process will be closely observed, shedding light on the broader implications of the case.