Ex-Union minister seeks extension of stay in official bungalow

Former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has approached the Delhi high court seeking extension of his stay in the official bungalow citing health grounds.

Dhindsa has been served with a notice by the estate officer to vacate the premises at 12 Pandit Pant Marg, after he lost Sangrur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab in May this year.

Challenging the show-cause notice, Dhindsa filed a petition before a vacation Bench of justice Mukta Gupta, saying he is 72 year-old and has been suffering from various ailments due to old age.

He said he is suffering from heart ailment and undergoing treatment in Indraprastha Apollo hospital. Doctors advised him to undergo coronary angiography which is to be done early next year, the former Parliamentarian added.

The former urban development minister also cited that his nephew's marriage is fixed for March 14, 2010, and the invitation cards have already been distributed.

It would be difficult to shift the venue at this stage, he said, and sought quashing of the notice issued by the estate officer.

Justice Mukta Gupta fixed January 6 to decide the issue and directed the petitioner to file medical documents to substantiate his claim.