Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Delhi High CourtDelhi High Court

Synopsis: As his allotment was cancelled, the eviction notice directed Birju Maharaj, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, to vacate the premises by December 31, 2020.

The Central Government order directing renowned Kathak artist Birju Maharaj to vacate his government allotted accommodation in the national capital has stayed by the Delhi High Court.

Renowned Kathak artist, Birju Maharaj
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By December 31, 2020, the eviction notice issued by the Central Government had directed Birju Maharaj to vacate the premises as his allotment was cancelled.

The Court was informed that the High Court had retained similar notices issued to other eminent artists and the matter was now pending.

In view of the above, Justice Vibhu Bakhru’s vacation bench ordered that the notice under review, dated 09.10.2020, remain stayed until the next date of the hearing.

On account of his achievements in the field of arts, the accommodation was allocated to Birju Maharaj. He is the recipient of the country’s second-highest civil honour, Padma Vibhushan.

A similar eviction notice given to Padmashri Awardees Bharati Shivaji and V Jayarama Rao was retained by the High Court earlier this month.

The eviction notices warned that if the allotted premises were not vacated by 31 December, an action against illegal residents would be taken under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act of 1971.

It was claimed that the eviction orders were in violation of their lawful authority expectation to stay in the allotted accommodation, which they had been given because they dedicated their lives to their extraordinary contribution in the field of their respective arts.

It was also pointed out that they were not allowed to hear or reason and that the principles of natural justice were also violated.

On January 22, both petitions will be heard together.

Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal appeared for Birju Maharaj along with Advocates Vedanta Varma, Vibhor Kush, and Fareha Ahmad Khan.

Along with Advocates Akshya and Karan Chhibber, the Centre was represented by standing counsel Rajesh Gogna.