Delhi HC Judge Steps Down From Hearing Raghav Chadha’s Bungalow Plea

Raghav Chadha

The Delhi High Court on Monday recused itself from hearing the plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, challenging the trial court’s decision to dismiss his petition against the cancellation of his bungalow by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha House Committee.

Justice Rekha Palli, while recusing herself from the case, directed that the matter be listed before an appropriate bench on December 18.

In his plea, Chadha argued that he was being “selectively targeted” because of his vocal stance in Parliament, claiming it reflected vendetta politics by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. “As I am very vocal in Parliament, I am being selectively targeted,” he stated.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of Raghav Chadha in the Delhi High Court.

Background of the Case

The trial court had earlier ruled on November 26 that there was no legal basis for Chadha to retain the accommodation. The court found no evidence of malafide intentions or bias in the decision to cancel his bungalow.

In its order, the court vacated the injunction that had previously allowed Chadha to retain the bungalow. It also stated that the concerned department could recover compensation or damages from Chadha through appropriate legal proceedings, as he was occupying the bungalow despite holding another flat.

Additional Session Judge Sumit Dass, in his ruling, noted that Chadha’s claims lacked merit. The judge emphasized that the MP, being a licensee paying the license fee, had no legal right to retain the Type-VII accommodation. The court further pointed out that there was no prima facie case or evidence of bias or malafide actions by the defendant.

Judge Dass concluded that the balance of convenience and irreparable loss were not in Chadha’s favor. Since Chadha was allotted a Type-VII accommodation in accordance with the Guidelines for Allotment, the court found that he was not prejudiced, as he was entitled to the accommodation allotted to him.