SC gives a month to overstaying MPs, judges to vacate premises

The Supreme Court on Friday set a one-month deadline for ministers, MPs, judges and bureaucrats to vacate their official accommodation after retiring or demitting government office.

A bench of justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi expressed concern over MPs, ministers and bureaucrats illegally overstaying in their official accommodation and said that they must vacate the premises within a month after demitting office.

It said the time can be extended by another month under special circumstances.

The bench framed a slew of guidelines for government authorities to take action against the illegal occupants.

"It is unfortunate that MPs and ministers continue to remain in official accommodation beyond their entitlement," the bench said.

It said that in case of MPs, Speaker of Lok Sabha and chairman of Rajya Sabha should initiate proceedings against them for breach of privilege.

The bench said that three months notice should be given to the officials before they are supposed to vacate the premises and reasonable force can be applied against them if they refuse to leave the accommodation. 

The bench said overstaying in government accommodation encroaches upon the rights of other person to whom it is to be alloted.