The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the appeal of Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and her two sons for a government accommodation on security grounds.
The court observed that “when Mr. Abdullah himself has shifted to a private accommodation, there is no reason why the appellants can be treated differently”.
Security concerns
A Bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice V Kameshwar Rao dismissed the appeal moved by Payal and her two sons against the August 2016 order by single judge asking them to vacate government accommodation 7, Akbar Road.
The appellants had pleaded that they are Z an Z plus protectees and the security cover would not be possible in their smaller private house in south Delhi.
‘No basis for contention’
“Mr. Abdullah himself has shifted to a place in Nizamuddin where adequate security is being provided to him by the Delhi Police. Similar is the position with his father Farooq Abdullah,” the Bench said.
The court held that Payal Abdullah’s contention that being Z and Z plus security protectees, they needed to be allotted accommodation by the central government, to be without any basis.
“Even the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a stand that adequate security cover will be provided to the appellants,” it noted.
