'Misuse Of Political Power' : Supreme Court Asks How Samajwadi Party Got Municipal Building For Pilibhit Office At Cheap Rate

The Supreme Court on Monday (July 21) refused to entertain Samajwadi Party's plea challenging its eviction from Pilibhit district office, asking the party to approach the Civil Court, where it has already filed a civil suit, seeking ad-interim injunction.During the hearing, the Court made certain oral remarks, disapproving of the manner in which the Party got the office in the municipal plot at a throwaway price, and opined that it was an allotment based on misuse of political power when the Party was in power.A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi however clarified in its order that no observation on the merits of the matter has been made, leaving open the civil remedies.At the outset of the hearing, Justice Kant asked Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, who appeared for Samajwadi Party, as to how SP acquired the Pilibhit office premises. When Dave replied that the premises were allotted by the Nagar Palika Parishad, Justice Kant posed, "What was the mode?"In response, Dave said that the rent payable has been paid. However, Justice Kant commented, "If you have abused and misused your political power like this, because you are the political party in power...in Rs.115, do you think a municipal building will be available for a political party to open its office?".Subsequently, Dave argued that once the petitioner was in possession, locks could not have been placed on the premises by the municipality. Unconvinced, Justice Kant said, "Right now, you're an unauthorized occupant. Lease has been cancelled. You have not challenged that order".On Dave claiming that the lease cancellation order has been challenged, the judge remarked, "When you misuse political power, you don't remember what law has to be followed. When question of taking action comes, then you remember everything"."Have you ever heard a building of the municipality within municipal area in Rs.115 ? And you want us to believe it? People of this country should have some faith in the system" questioned Justice Kant.Ultimately, the bench noted that a suit is pending before the civil court and did not express any opinion on SP's prayer for ad-interim injunction. "We will be with you if you file a petition challenging all these kinds of fraudulent occupations. These are not allotments. These are all fraudulent occupations using political, money and muscle power", said Justice Kant.The bench asked the petitioner-Party to approach the civil court for ad-interim relief. When Dave said that the civil court is not approachable for immediate relief due to lawyers' strike, Justice Kant highlighted that the Supreme Court has passed strict directions against advocates' strikes.Earlier, in June, the Supreme Court dismissed another special leave petition preferred by the Samajwadi Party against Allahabad High Court's order restraining the District Party President, District Pilibhit, from filing further writ petitions in regards to the dispute over eviction of the Party from its district office in Pilibhit. The Court clarified that SP can approach the High Court.On July 2, the Allahabad High Court refused to entertain the Party's writ petition noting that the civil suit is pending.Case Title : THE SAMAJWADI PARTY Versus STATE OF U.P. AND ANR., SLP(C) No. 18269/2025 Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Misuse Of Political Power' : Supreme Court Asks How Samajwadi Party Got Municipal Building For Pilibhit Office At Cheap Rate

Debby Jain

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