HC grills DDA for allotting flats to SC, STs from other states

New Delhi, Feb 11 : The DDA today faced some tough questions in the Delhi High Court which sought an explanation from it for allotment of flats, meant for the reserved category, to SC/ST applicants from other states.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice A P Shah directed the housing body to clarify how SC/STs from the neighbouring states were allotted flats by it in a draw held in December last year.

The Court asked the Counsel appearing for DDA to give the break-up on how many SC/ST applicants belonging to Delhi and other states was allotted flats in the draw.

The Bench passed the order on a petition filed by Prem Chand alleging that the housing body had illegally allowed applicants under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category from other states to participate in the draw.

Chand, who failed to get a flat in the draw, alleged that under the DDA Act the housing body is not entitled to accept applications from residents of states other than Delhi.

The DDA's draw for allotment of 5,000 flats had run into a controversy as a complaint was registered alleging irregularities in the draw. The Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police's Crime Branch is investigating the matter.