Illegal occupants: SC pulls up Centre

During the hearing of a petition seeking eviction of all such unauthorised occupants8212; Government servants as well as legislators8212;the Bench was apparently not satisfied with an affidavit filed by the Government. It noted that it had failed to furnish a response with regard to unauthorised occupation of 30 quarters allotted to MPs under the legislators8217; pool.

Giving another chance, the Bench asked it to file within six weeks a detailed affidavit on such houses that have been illegally occupied and the steps taken for recovering penal rents from those evicted.

Asserting its stand, the court said Government officials in occupation of such accommodation must be suspended and their properties and bank FDRs be attached.

8220;They may be senior IAS officers, judicial officers or MLAs, put them behind bars. IAS officers do not enjoy any immunity from law, all are equal before law,8221; it observed as it pulled up the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The apex court also did not spare Bihar as its counsel could not explain the whereabouts of 180 people who the Government claimed were evicted.