Supreme Court livid that AAP has encroached, built party office on land allotted to Delhi High Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure that the Aam Admi Party (AAP) political office located at Rouse Avenue in Delhi was built over "encroached land" that was originally allotted to the Delhi High Court. .The Court took note of the issue while dealing with a case concerning judicial infrastructure across the country. The bench of Chief Justice of India (CIJ) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was informed today by Amicus Curiae K Parameshwar that even though Delhi High Court officials went to take possession of certain land allotted to them, "a political party office was built there" and they could not take the land back.Law Secretary to Government of Delhi, Bharat Parashar also apprised the Court that the said land has been with the AAP since 2016..A miffed Chief Justice of India cautioned the counsel appearing for AAP-led Delhi government that the land must be returned to the High Court. "No one can take law into their own hands ... How can a political party sit tight on that? Unencumbered possession must be given to the High Court. What will the High Court use it for? Only for the public and citizens. Why was the land then allotted to the High Court?" remarked the CJI. .The Court proceeded to direct the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, the Secretary to the Delhi Public Works Department and the Finance Secretary to the Delhi government to convene a meeting with the Registrar General of Delhi High Court to ensure that encroachments are removed. The meeting is to be held before the next date of hearing in the matter before the top court. .In an earlier hearing, the top court had criticised the Delhi government for its lackadaisical attitude towards providing funds for infrastructure in the Delhi district judiciary.At the time, the CJI had noted that approvals were granted for three out of four projects as of March 2021. However, funds for these projects were yet to be released.The top court also noted that as of December 5, 2023, there was a need for 118 courtrooms to accommodate the sanctioned strength of 887 judicial officers or 114 courtrooms to accommodate the present working strength of 813 judicial officers. The delay in approving funds is lamentable and there is no justification for the lackadaisical attitude of the Delhi government towards the Delhi district judiciary, the Court had said.