Illegal occupation: SC extends time for filing response

A Bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya also directed the authorities concerned that they will not go ahead with allotment of those premises without its consent, if vacated by unauthorised occupants.

"We are making it clear that if any such accommodation is vacated during the period (before the next hearing) it shall not be alloted without bringing it to its notice," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing in last week of January 2013.

The bench also asked the Centre to be cautious and verify before making the names public as it has a bearing on the "reputation" of the person concerned.

The bench made the statement after it was told by senior advocate Bishwajeet Bhattacharya that name of senior Income Tax officer Amit Kumar Bhattacharya was among the list of unauthorised occupant advertised by the Centre after October 10 order despite the fact that he had vacated the accommodation on September 28.

The court also said illegal occupation of the government bungalows was causing difficulties for retired judges who are heading tribunals and other such bodies.

"Former judges are made to run from one place to another and bureaucrats of class one get the accommodation at the first instance.

"We are all aware of it. It is not only happening in the national capital but it happens through out the country," the bench observed.

The court had on October 10 issued notices to former Bihar governor Buta Singh, ex-Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal and many other serving and retired bureaucrats and IPS officers for unauthorised occupation of government bungalows in the national capital. (More)