AAP office space allotment: Delhi HC asks Centre to take decision within six weeks

Delhi High Court rules AAP entitled to office space, Centre must decide within six weeks.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said the AAP is entitled to space for a party office like other political parties and asked the Centre to take a decision on the issue within six weeks.

Justice Subramonium Prasad said "pressure" or non-availability of a house in the general pool cannot be a reason for rejection of the request.

"They are entitled to a house from the general pool. Mere pressure or non-availability is no reason to reject because pressure is always there and houses have always been allotted to political parties," the court stated.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking allotment of space for its office by the Centre on account of it being recognised as a national party.

Considering that the AAP needs to vacate its current office in Rouse Avenue by June 15, the party's counsel had argued that a unit on Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg, which is presently with one of its city ministers, ought to be temporarily allotted to it.

Justice Prasad, however, said the party cannot claim entitlement to the DDU Marg property.

If the AAP's representation is rejected by the Centre, the party can take appropriate steps, the judge added.