Srinagar, October 14: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has sought clarification from the administration over the policy permitting former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former BJP Jammu and Kashmir president Ravinder Raina to retain their official residences until March 2027 or the next review, whichever comes first.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri passed the order on October 12 while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Prof. S.K. Bhalla, registered as WP(C)PIL No. 17/2020.

During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel argued that security considerations alone could not justify continued occupation of government accommodation without proper authorisation. The counsel also referred to an earlier court order dated December 26, 2022, in which protection from eviction on security grounds had been declined for occupants of government properties.

Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, representing the J&K administration, informed the court that a designated committee had examined the cases of Azad and Raina during its meeting on August 14, 2026. The committee recommended that both allotments be continued.

The court was further informed that the recommendations were subsequently placed before the competent authority, which approved the retention of the residences until March 2027 or the next review, whichever occurs earlier.

The Bench sought an explanation from the administration regarding the uniform policy applicable to political persons retaining government accommodation. It also questioned the legal basis and authority under which the designated committee had been empowered to make recommendations on the continuation of such allotments.

The government counsel sought additional time to submit an affidavit detailing the applicable policy and explaining the authority exercised by the committee. The court accepted the request and scheduled the next hearing for November 12, 2026.

The High Court has not cancelled the existing allotments or ordered the immediate eviction of either Azad or Raina. Its latest order seeks clarification on the rules and legal authority governing the administration's decision to allow the two political leaders to retain their official residences.