In a significant development, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month for unethical conduct, has officially vacated her government bungalow. The Bengal MP received an eviction notice earlier this week, prompting her to leave the premises immediately.
Ms. Moitra’s lawyers reported that “House number 9B Telegraph Lane” was fully vacated by 10 am on January 19, 2023. The possession of the bungalow was handed over to the Directorate of Estates, responsible for managing government properties. Interestingly, the premises were vacated before authorities arrived, and no forced eviction took place.
The Centre had issued a strongly-worded eviction notice to Ms. Moitra, instructing her to vacate the bungalow promptly. The Directorate of Estates warned that if she failed to comply voluntarily, she and any other occupants “are liable to be evicted from the said premises, if need be, by the use of such force as may be necessary.”
The government’s notice highlighted that Ms. Moitra had been given “sufficient opportunity” to prove that she was not an unauthorized occupant. However, she failed to provide the necessary evidence.
Despite seeking relief, Ms. Moitra faced disappointment on Thursday when the Delhi High Court refused to stay the eviction order. The court directed her to vacate the government bungalow, noting that no specific rule had been presented regarding the eviction of MPs from government accommodations after they cease to be lawmakers.
Mahua Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2023, was based on 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. This recent development marks the culmination of the eviction process initiated by the government.
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