Srinagar, Apr 06 :  The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court adopted a stringent stance against the continued occupation of government accommodations by 43 former ministers and MLAs, directing the estate department to issue individual notices to those who have failed to vacate the premises.

As per news agency, the division bench, comprising High Court Chief Justice N Kotishwar Singh and Justice MA Chaudhary, issued this order during the hearing of a petition related to the matter.

Expressing firm resolve, the division bench mandated the estate department to complete the process of issuing notices within one month. Emphasizing the importance of adherence to legal procedures, the bench underscored that any individual who persists in occupying government residences must present relevant documents before the court.

Moreover, the division bench directed the Director of the Estate Department to afford an opportunity for hearing to the 43 individuals named in the report before serving notices. Additionally, the court sought detailed information from the estate department regarding the rent payments made by these occupants, emphasizing the need to charge commercial rates given their current non-official status.

Advocate Shakeel Ahmed brought to the bench’s attention the discrepancy between the occupancy of government residences and the availability of private accommodations for former MLAs in Jammu. He highlighted the reluctance of the Estate Department to enforce evictions due to political influence, pointing out instances involving former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta, and former minister Sajjad Lone—(KNO)