SC stays eviction of tenants on the property of Raja of Mahmoodab

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed till Monday the eviction of 200 tenants on the property of former Raja of Mahmoodabad in Uttar Pradesh.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhan and Markandey Katju stayed the eviction after hearing counsel for the petitioner who contended that they were inducted as tenants in the property situated at Lucknow by the late Raja of Mahmoodabad and the petitioners, who are claiming to be his descendants, have no right to seek their eviction.

Raja of Mahmoodabad had gone to Pakistan after the partition and the property left behind him was declared as enemy property by the government.

The custodian had given time to the petitioner to vacate the property by 1030 hrs today.

Earlier, the matter was mentioned before the court of Chief Justice who directed the petitioner to go to the bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhan, as he had heard and decided the matter.

Twenty-four senior IAS, IPS and other members of allied services were issued contempt of court notices for not vacating the properties in which the offices and residences of these officials were located. Later some of the officers, including eight District Magistrates, some senior IPS officers and about 12 SDMs were reported to have vacated the property which is owned by Late Raja of Mahmoodabad.

The matter will be heard by the apex court on Monday. The petitions filed by the tenant, also challenged their eviction on the grounds that they were not party to the earlier proceedings.

UNI AKS/SC YA VA DS1535