In a significant development, in the much publicised Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 17/2020) seeking eviction of Ex-Ministers/ Ex-Legislators from Government Accommodations, an affidavit has been filed before the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu by the Director Estates, Jammu & Srinagar pursuant to orders of the Division Bench dated 26.03.2025 and 23.12.2025, whereby the Division Bench had directed Estates Department to file the latest status with regard to the two politicians namely Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chief Minister of the erstwhile J&K State and Ravinder Raina, Former President BJP, J&K Unit with reference to the recommendations of the Designated Committee which had reviewed the matter regarding allotment of accommodation to the two high profile politicians.
In the affidavit filed by the Director Estates, Jammu & Srinagar, it has been submitted that pursuant to the directions of the Division Bench, the Estates Department placed the cases concerning the retention of residential accommodation by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chief Minister of the erstwhile State of J&K and Ravinder Raina, Former President BJP, J&K Unit before the Competent Authority for its consideration.
In the affidavit, it has further been divulged that the Competent Authority after due and careful consideration of the matter has allowed the retention of the residential accommodation in favour of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chief Minister of the erstwhile J&K State and Ravinder Raina, Former President BJP, J&K Unit till March, 2026.
In the affidavit, it has also been submitted that upon the expiry of the said period in March 2026, the matter of allotment, retention shall be placed before the Designated Committee for a fresh review and necessary orders.
Authoritative sources in the Estates Department have revealed that Former Deputy Chief Minister of the erstwhile J&K State/ Ex-M.P. namely Muzaffar Hussain Beigh is also retaining the Government Accommodation at Jammu i.e. Set No.7, Rehari Staff, Jammu and Former Mayor, Srinagar, Municipal Corporation (SMC) namely Junaid Mattoo is also retaining the Government Accommodation at Srinagar.
The Estates Department on the intervention of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has so far evicted more than 180 politicians from Government Accommodation.
Azad, Raina to retain Govt houses till March 2026
