From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court was shocked on Friday when told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that a private company was sending bouncers to evict the government officers from its flats in the Sujan Singh Park in the vicinity of Khan Market here, as per Delhi High Court order in January 2020.
Mehta sought an urgent hearing by mentioning the matter before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana. On the CJI’s shock, Mehta admitted that it is unfortunate. After a brief hearing, the Court scheduled it for further hearing on April 5.
The High Court had upheld the decision of the additional rent control tribunal, directing the Centre to clear unpaid arrears of rent to Sir Sobha Singh and Sons Private limited.
The residential flats wewre taken on rent by the government at concessional rates as far back as in 1944.
The Centre’s plea said: “The Tribunal vide order dated September 1, 2007 erroneously held that the contested property was covered under the provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act (DRCA). Moreover, the Hon’ble High Court affirmed the said finding vide order dated January 8, 2020.”
The government contended that rents were paid until 1989, later due to many breaches by the respondent, many litigations followed. In 1998, the company, which is the owners, received a favourable order on an eviction petition before the Additional Rent Controller. The Delhi High Court also decided the appeals in the favour of the company.
