The Delhi High Court has directed Udit Prakash Rai, a suspended IAS officer currently serving in Mizoram, and his family to vacate their official bungalow in Delhi. The court has asked the concerned authorities to allot them an alternative accommodation. Rai has been in the midst of a controversy for allegedly demolishing a 15th-century monument at Jal Vihar in southeast Delhi to construct a new government accommodation during his tenure as the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
Rai's wife, Shilpi Udit Rai, who is currently residing in the bungalow with their children, had approached the high court after the DJB issued a notice asking them to vacate the premises within 15 days. The court questioned whether Rai has the right to retain the accommodation after being transferred to Mizoram. Rai's counsel argued that Mizoram is a "hard posting," entitling him to retain the government premises in Delhi.
The Delhi government standing counsel and lawyers for DJB and the Delhi chief secretary did not contest Rai's entitlement to government accommodation in Delhi despite his posting in Mizoram. The court made it clear that the petitioner has to vacate the house, stating that a DJB house cannot be handed over to a person who is no longer associated with DJB.
The court directed the PWD principal secretary to dispose of the representation for an alternative accommodation within two weeks. Rai's wife was asked to provide an undertaking within a week, confirming their intention to vacate the Jal Vihar Bungalow.
Rai had been served a show cause notice in April for allegedly demolishing the monument, which was mentioned in the Archaeological Survey of India's "List of Muhammadan and Hindu monuments." He had filed complaints in June, claiming a biased inquiry and harassment against his family.
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