Uttarakhand HC orders former CM’s to deposit rent within 6 months
The High Court has given a major blow to the former Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand. The Court has passed an important order to deposit the outstanding rent within six months to the former Chief Ministers. If they do not, they will face contempt. The Bench of Chief Justice, Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice RC Khulbe had reserved the judgment on February 26 after hearing the petition.
During the previous hearing, the court was told by former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Vijay Bahuguna that they had deposited the amount from the government while the lack of funds was cited by the former Chief Minister and BJP MP Bhagat Singh Kosiyari. The inability to deposit the prescribed amount was expressed. It was emphasized from the petitioner that the former Chief Ministers have been allotted accommodation in unconstitutional manner. The Uttar Pradesh Allocation Rules, 1997 had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. It was also said that the mandate regarding allocation of housing allocation in 2004 does not apply to the former Chief Ministers.
Petition filed by RLEK
Filing a public interest petition of the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Center (RLEK), Dehradun had raised the issue of alloting house to former Chief Minister’s Bhagat Singh Kaushari, late Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and Vijay Bahuguna. On which total amount of Rs 2.85 crore was considered as rent. Rs 47,57,758 on former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Kosariyari, Rs 1,12,98182 on late ND Tiwari, Rs 40,95,560 on former CM Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Rs 46,59,776 on Bhuvanchandra Khanduri and former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna Rs 37,50,638 Is outstanding.
