Akhilesh Yadav must have vacated official bungalows by now as he has lost UP elections, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday said that Akhilesh Yadav must have vacated the official bungalow in Lucknow as he is no more a chief minister after losing Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

“This has become infructuous. He (Yadav) has lost the election and must have vacated the bungalows by now. He is no more the chief minister. How can he retain both the houses,” a bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

The apex court termed as “infructuous” a plea seeking a direction to former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to vacate a bungalow being used by him as his office in Lucknow besides occupying another house for residential purpose.

The appeal filed by NGO ‘Lok Prahari’ against the order of the Allahabad High Court in the matter was then disposed of by the bench.

The NGO had earlier moved the apex court alleging that Yadav has been using two official bungalows for residential and official purposes, respectively, and it was an illegal occupation.

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The apex court had earlier said that it would hear the plea after conclusion of the assembly polls in the state.

It was alleged that the chief minister, who has an office in the State Secretariat, cannot retain an official bungalow besides his residence for official purposes.

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(With inputs from PTI)