You don't remember law when in position to abuse power: SC to SP

NEW DELHI: SC Monday refused to entertain a petition filed by Samajwadi Party (SP) questioning eviction of the party from a Pilibhit municipality-owned building, and said when a governing political party abuses or misuses its powers to illegally allot buildings to itself, it faces difficulties when it is not in power.

Brushing aside spirited arguments from senior advocate Siddharth Dave, Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said, "If you (the party) misuse and abuse its powers to get municipality buildings allotted to itself, then it you cannot complain when the allotment gets cancelled when it is not in power."

Refusing to grant time to SP to vacate the premises, SC said, "You do not remember the law when you are in a position to abuse your power. Or else, how do you get a prime municipal bungalow for Rs 150 monthly rent? We will not interfere with the Allahabad HC order. People in the country should feel there is rule of law which applies equally to everyone, including political parties."

The office premises at a prime location in Civil Lines near Nakatadhana square in Pilibhit was allotted to SP in March 2005 at a monthly rent of Rs 150. After more than 20 years, the municipality sent an eviction notice to SP on June 6, and four days later, came with police force to evict the party. It, however, relented after the SP district president gave an undertaking that the premises would be vacated by June 16.

On June 18, the municipality asked the party to vacate in three days. The authorities locked the premises on June 23. A challenge to the eviction before HC was dismissed on July 2.