In the widely followed Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 17/2020) concerning the controversial allotment of government accommodation to high-profile political figures, the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today adjourned the matter to September 1, 2025, citing paucity of time.
The PIL, which continues to garner significant public and media attention, was listed before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal. The hearing was conducted via virtual mode.
This development follows the court’s earlier direction issued on May 27, 2025, wherein Senior Additional Advocate General SS Nanda was granted a final opportunity to file a status report regarding the decisions of the Designated Committee formed to review accommodation allotments, particularly those involving former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina.
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At that time, the Division Bench had explicitly warned that in the event of non-compliance, the Chairman of the Designated Committee would be required to appear before the Court, either physically or via virtual mode. The case had been posted for July 7, 2025.
Subsequently, the Estates Department filed a status report pursuant to the Court’s May 27 order, revealing that the Designated Committee convened on February 28, 2025. However, the report stated that the Committee’s recommendations are still under official consideration. In light of this, the department has requested additional time to furnish the final compliance report before the court.
Notably, the Estates Department, in its response to an RTI query (vide No. DDE/J/2025/1792 dated March 10, 2025), confirmed that former Member of Parliament and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh is currently occupying government accommodation at Set No. 7, Rehari Staff Quarters in Jammu. Sources have also disclosed that former Srinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Junaid Mattoo is in possession of official accommodation at Church Lane, Srinagar.
The Division Bench has directed the Registry to relist the matter for hearing on September 1, 2025, keeping public interest alive in the evolving debate over political privilege and the equitable allocation of government resources.
