Former Delhi MP Udit Raj evicted from govt quarters allotted to wife, who is now retired

Udit Raj told The Indian Express that staff of the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs threw out the belongings of his family from their government quarters in Pandara Park, even though the matter of his wife’s overstaying is “sub judice”, and the hearing is on October 28.

Udit Raj said his family’s “extended stay of only five months” in the house was due to the prolonged illness of his father-in-law and his subsequent demise. He said that the family was “likely to move” out by the end of November.

“What difference would three or four more days [until the hearing in court] make,” Udit Raj said. He said he would abide by whatever decision the court makes, but alleged that his “harassment”, meanwhile, was “punishment” for being the voice of Dalits and the poor.

“It seems the Directorate of Estates is deliberately resorting to forcible eviction during holidays despite the matter being sub judice so we have no access to any remedy,” Udit Raj said. “We just wanted an extension of one month,” he said.

The former MP alleged the authorities were taking “selective action”, targeting an opposition leader from a “lower caste”.

“What is the hurry in this case? I am more than willing to vacate the house in the near future but why is the same yardstick not being applied to many so-called upper castes who are occupying even larger houses?” he said.

“I tried contacting (Union Minister) Manohar Lal Khattar, but he could not be reached. No higher official is available on call. Nobody is telling me anything,” Udit Raj said.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs did not respond to a request for a comment.

Ministry sources said the Type-VI B house was allotted to Seema Raj in her capacity as principal director general of income tax on February 10, 2024. After she retired on November 30 last year, she was entitled to retain the house for six months, that is until May 31 this year. However, she had continued to retain the house five months later.

The sources said the estate officer concerned had served a show-cause notice on her on June 16, and given her a hearing on June 23. An eviction order was passed against her on August 5, and it was served on August 11.

It is learnt that damage charges of Rs 21,45,703 are due for unauthorised occupation of the government quarters.

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