J-K Govt evicts only 2 of 43 unauthorized political occupants from government quarters

SRINAGAR — Out of 43 political figures occupying the government quarters without holding any position, the Estates Department in Jammu and Kashmir has evicted only two occupants, the government informed the court on Thursday.

Advocate General D.C. Raina, as per the news agency KNT, submitted before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi that the government has evicted two politicians Wazira Begum and Sonaullah Lone whereas six more are in the process of being vacated.

The Estates Department despite directions from the court has not evicted influential political figures yet.

Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed argued that Estate Department Directors from Kashmir and Jammu have also failed to explain why these 43 occupants were not charged rental at commercial rates since they are not holding any office as of now.

Advocate Ahmed argued that there cannot be two laws in a similar situation as the government evicted more than 200 politicians including two former chief ministers namely Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and several ex-ministers but undue favour is being extended to some politicians who are having access to the corridors of power.

The court listed the matter for the next hearing on August 7 with the directions to the Estates Department to report instructions moved by former Finance Minister Abdul Raheem Rather who is seeking clarification that he has already vacated the government accommodation and his name should be removed from the list of occupants.