No Z plus security arrangements by centre at private residence, Subramanian Swamy moves Delhi High Court

Former Rajya Sabha Member and Bharatiya Janata Party leader (BJP) Dr. Subramanian Swamy on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court alleging Centre’s failure to make arrangements for “Z-security” at his private residence in Nizamuddin East, Delhi after he was directed by the single-judge bench of the High Court to hand over possession of his government-allotted Bungalow in Delhi within six weeks.

Counsel for Swamy, Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta contended that, despite the orders of the High Court, the Centre has not made adequate security arrangements for Swamy from the government-allotted bungalow to his private residence.

The matter was mentioned by Mehta before a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad. Accordingly, the bench allowed it to be listed on Monday i.e. October 31.

On September 14, Justice Yashwant Varma directed Dr. Subramanian Swamy to hand over possession of his government-allotted Bungalow in Delhi within six weeks. The court was hearing a plea filed by Swamy for re-allotment of his government accommodation in the Type 7 bungalow, which was allotted to him on January 15, 2016, given the security threats.

Counsel for Swamy, Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta, had contended, “My security has not gone down, till today I have several guards, shifting to my accommodation would cause difficulty, in providing the basic needs to my security personnel”. Mehta stated that since Swamy's security has not gone down, and he is still a “Z-security protectee”, he would need the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that they will assist him in shifting with safety and security.

Counsel for Union, Asheesh Jain had agreed to assist him with safety and security while shifting. Jain stated that Swamy was allotted government accommodation for 5 years starting in 2016, and was supposed to vacate the accommodation after the expiry of the period. He further stated that currently Swamy is an unauthorized occupant as per the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, of 1958.

Accordingly, the court had noted that "as the allotment made has expired, and no material mandates re-allotment of a 'Z- security protectee', therefore, Swamy is directed to hand over the possession of the government accommodation within six weeks and shift to his accommodation in Nizamuddin East".

The court had also left it open for both parties to approach the estate officer in case of any issue.