Aam Aadmi Party leader Surender Singh has been charged with illegally using part of a government building for party works.

The Delhi High Court has already issued notices to the Delhi Cantt MLA for giving false information with regard to his educational qualifications in his election affidavit.

A former NSG commando who fought 26/11 terrorists, Singh is a member of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) by virtue of being an MLA.

AAP MLA Surender Singh was previously an NSG commando and had battled terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attack

BJP leader and former NDMC office-bearer Kanwar Singh Tanwar has complained to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Prime Minister’s Office and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi that Singh has occupied a room in the NDMC building in New Delhi where he meets AAP workers and organises party events. It is to be noted that the MHA controls the NDMC.

The room in question is on the third floor of the building known as Palika Kendra.

The well-furnished office space, reserved for the NDMC vicechairman, has been converted into a “junction of AAP party workers”, says the four-page complaint.

The BJP leader has demanded that Singh be moved out and pay up-market rent for using government assets in an unauthorised manner.

Singh, however, has denied the allegation. He told Mail Today: “The allotment of a staff could be a typographical error. As regards the NDMC office and accommodation, I will consult the Council chairperson.”

NDMC Act

As per the New Delhi Municipal Act, the Council comprises 13 members, of which four are nominated and three elected.

The sitting MP and MLA of the New Delhi Lok Sabha and New Delhi Assembly constituencies - currently BJP leader Menakshi Lekhi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal - are traditionally elected members of NDMC.

The third elected member of the civic agency is the MLA from Delhi Cantonment seat - Surender Singh in this case.

Tanwar said: “The designated vice-chairman’s office, for the first time, has been turned into a ‘common room’ for elected members of NDMC, whereas, in reality, none of the members use it and it is being solely used by Singh and his followers.”

Quoting from the New Delhi Municipal Council (Amendment) Bill, 2011, his complaint said: “A member of NDMC is entitled to an allowance of 500 a day to attend Council meetings or any committee subject to a maximum of Rs 3,000 per month. The members, other than elected representatives, are eligible to vehicles, accommodation, stationery and medical, etc.”

Tanwar alleged that Singh has been “illegally” provided a plush accommodation at 13, Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri by the Council. This is a Type 5 government quarter, a duplex flat.

His complaint said: “This flat was intentionally transformed into a guesthouse of Public Services Officers Institute (an autonomous club under NDMC) to make the allotment feasible in the eyes of the law. A guesthouse is meant to be allotted to a person for two-three days, so it is beyond comprehension how Mr Singh is in possession of this property for more than one-and-a-half years.”

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