HC notices to Bihar govt, former CMs over bungalow allotment

PATNA: The Patna High Court issued notice to the Bihar government on Tuesday over its rules allowing official bungalows to former chief ministers for lifetime citing security concerns.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Anjana Mishra also issued notice to former chief ministers seeking their responses on this matter.

The court will next hear the case on February 11.

The Patna HC has given four-week time to the state government and former CMs to file their response as to why the Amendment Act framed by the state government in 2010 not be quashed keeping in mind the judgement passed by the Supreme Court in Lok Prahari case.

The Act made the provisions for allotment of bungalows for lifetime to the former CMs.

The notices were issued by the HC after taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the rules on Monday while hearing an appeal filed by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav challenging the order of the single bench which had dismissed his plea to retain 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow. It may be recalled that Tejashwi was allotted this bungalow when he was the Deputy CM during Grand Alliance government.

Tejashwi's petition was dismissed by the division bench on Monday.