J&K High Court seeks policy on retention of government accommodation by ex-CM Azad, BJP’s Raina

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday asked the Union Territory (UT) administration to explain the policy under which political figures have been allowed to retain government accommodation in J&K. It was hearing a case involving Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of J&K, and Ravinder Raina, former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) J&K unit.

“As to what is the policy in the UT of J&K which govern the retention of Government accommodation, which has been applied in the present case, and wherefrom the designated committee derives its power to consider whether such Government accommodation has to be retained by the political persons,” observed a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri.

The observation followed a submission by Additional Advocate General (AAG) Monika Kohli that the question of retention of the residences by Mr. Azad and Mr. Raina had been placed before a designated committee at its meeting on August 14, 2026.

The court was informed that the committee recommended continuing the allotments. The competent authority permitted retention until March 2027 “or until the next review”, the AAG said.

The Bench, however, sought further clarification. Ms. Kohli asked for time “to address the issues by filing an appropriate affidavit and to assist this Court regarding the uniform policy”.

The case will be heard next on November 12, 2026.

In a similar case in 2022, the Court had refused to protect any of the persons concerned against eviction from government properties on the ground of security.

Mr. Azad was Chief Minister of J&K from November 2, 2005 to July 11, 2008. Mr. Raina was president of the BJP’s J&K unit from May 13, 2018 to November 3, 2024.