Taking a tough stand against politicians and public servants, who continue to occupy Government housing long after they retire, the Supreme Court on Thursday gave directions to the Central Government to amend the law themselves or the court would pass appropriate directions. “We want you to amend the central legislation, so that all the states need not have a legislation. Don’t take it lightly,” remarked the bench, hearing a batch of petitions highlighting the illegal occupation of government bungalows.Asking the government to invoke Section 441 (criminal trespass)—which has never yet been summoned for such cases— for these offenders, the Bench headed by Justice B N Agarwal also directed the Government to amend the law by making it non-bailable. “We know how to deal with the matter. If you can’t take a decision we can pass the direction,” it added.Additional Solicitor General Amrender Sharan’s plea that only “.03 per cent of persons are defaulters,” annoyed the bench, which said, “We know why you don’t want to move. Big bosses are involved. It’s a third degree method, just arrest them.” The judges also objected to the ASG’s submission that the matter of amending the provision is under consideration of a deputy secretary. “No secretary-level decision will be accepted,” was the stern rejoinder.
