Patna High Court orders all ex-CMs to vacate official bungalows

Patna, Feb 19 (IANS) The Patna High Court on Tuesday ruled that former chief ministers of Bihar cannot hold their official bungalows for life time.

A division bench of Chief Justice A.P. Shahi in its order also asked all former chief ministers, as well as incumbent Nitish Kumar, to vacate bungalows alloted to them.

Last month, the court had issued notices to the Bihar government and all former chief ministers, as well as incumbent Nitish Kumar, in this regard.

The court had also asked them to file a response in four weeks as to why former chief ministers cannot shift into a private accommodation when they are provided high security there as well.

The court order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Nitish Kumar asking why former chief ministers must continue to occupy bungalows alloted to them after they have demitted office.

Nitish Kumar continues to retain the bungalow he was allotted in his last term as Chief Minister, while living in another government bungalow.

Former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi as well as Jitan Ram Manjhi and Jagannath Mishra too continue to occupy the bungalows alloted to them.

Satish Kumar Singh, who was Chief Minister for barely a week, refuses to move out of his official bungalow.

All of them will have to vacate their official bungalows following the court order.