Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed former BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy to hand over possession of his government bungalow to an estate officer within six weeks.

Justice Yashwant Varma noted that the allotment of the bungalow was made for five years and that period had come to an end. The judge said the court had not been shown any material that mandated and required the allotment of government accommodation to a Z-category protectee. The high court disposed of Swamy’s petition seeking re-allotment of the same bungalow, which was allotted to him on January 15, 2016.

He had been living there since then in view of security threats to him. The judge said the government should ensure that adequate arrangements were made in the residential premises, which the petitioner would now occupy, for his safety and security. Swamy’s term as a member of the Upper House came to an end on April 24 this year.

“The court notes undisputedly that the allotment was made for a period of five years and that period has fairly come to an end. The court has not been shown any material, which mandates and requires the allotment of government accommodation to a Z category protectee. “The writ petition is disposed of with this observation. The court further directs the petitioner (Swamy) to ensure that the premises are handed over to the estate officer concerned within a period of six weeks from today,” the judge said.

Swamy’s counsel submitted that bearing in mind the security arrangements that were required for a Z-category protectee, the accommodation originally allotted to him must be continued in his favour.