The long-running dispute over the vacation of Bihar's well-known 10 Circular Road residence has entered a new phase after former Chief Minister Rabri Devi sought additional time to hand over the government bungalow. Although the Bihar government's Building Construction Department had fixed June 29 as the final deadline, the handover is now expected to take place on July 5 due to an unresolved issue involving official property records.
Rabri Devi has informed the department that she wants a complete verification of government-owned items allotted to the residence before formally vacating it. The request comes after officials allegedly failed to provide the authorised inventory register during an inspection conducted last week.
Inventory verification delays handover
According to News 18, in a letter addressed to the Building Construction Department, Rabri Devi's office referred to the final eviction notice issued on June 22 and explained that officials were unable to produce the original inventory and charge register during the June 24 inspection.
The former Chief Minister has asked the department to first provide the official list of government assets supplied with the bungalow when it was allocated in 2006. According to the letter, verifying each item is necessary to avoid any future disputes once possession of the property is officially transferred.
Since the residence has remained with the family for nearly two decades, the verification exercise is expected to take time. Sources also point out that July 5 coincides with the Rashtriya Janata Dal's foundation day, leading to speculation that the move could be completed on the same date.
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Lalu family begins shifting belongings
According to News 18, even as the official handover remains pending, the Lalu Prasad Yadav family has already started moving out. Trucks have been seen transporting furniture, household appliances, computers, clothing and other personal belongings from the residence. Trees and plants that have been part of the property for years are also being relocated.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has reportedly shifted fully to his official residence at 1 Polo Road. His official files and personal belongings have already been moved there, while other family possessions are being transported to private properties, including their residence in Kautilya Nagar.
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Political row continues over eviction
According to News 18, the issue has remained politically sensitive for months. The Building Construction Department has maintained that the official residence must be vacated following the end of Rabri Devi's tenure as Chief Minister, issuing multiple notices before setting June 29 as the final deadline.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal, however, has repeatedly described the eviction notices as politically motivated. Meanwhile, the government has allotted Rabri Devi a new official residence at 39 Harding Road, but renovation work is still underway. A dedicated medical room is reportedly being prepared there to meet the healthcare needs of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Until the new residence is ready, the couple is expected to stay either at Tejashwi Yadav's official residence or at another family-owned property in Patna.
