Can Kumari Selja be given single-storey bungalow: HC asks Centre

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to look into the possibility of allotting a suitable single-storey bungalow to Congress parliamentarian Kumari Selja which she is entitled to.

A division bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Rajiv Shakdher asked the central government to look for a type-VII bungalow or type-VI single-storey bungalow and apprise it by Friday.

The bench earlier asked Rajya Sabha member Selja to visit the four type-VII bungalows on offer and select the one she wanted.

The counsel appearing for Selja told the court that she wanted a single-storey bungalow and not a duplex one.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, told the court that Selja should not have a wish list and she will get whatever she is entitled to.

"Look for a suitable bungalow for her (Selja) which she is entitled to, and let us know by Friday after which we will dispose off the pleas," the bench told the Centre.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Ambika Soni has agreed to a bungalow at 84, Lodhi Estate in central Delhi, which was allotted to her.

Both had challenged a single-judge order holding they were not entitled to type-VIII bungalows.

Soni stays at 22, Akbar Road, and Selja at 7, Motilal Nehru Marg, which were allotted to them when they were ministers in the previous UPA government.

The Narendra Modi government cancelled the same and allotted them type-VII bungalows.

Soni and Selja accused the BJP-led government of "mala fide intentions against members of the opposition" asking them to shift to a lower accommodation.

The government on May 5 issued notice to the two ex-ministers, asking them to vacate the government bungalows by June 10 and shift to alternate accommodation allotted to them.