SC Issues Notice to Rajya Sabha Secretariat on AAP Leader Raghav Chadha’s Plea Challenging Suspension

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the plea of AAP leader Raghav Chadha challenging his indefinite suspension from the Rajya Sabha and sought the assistance of the attorney general in adjudicating the issue.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra considered the arguments presented by senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi and lawyer Shadan Farasat, who represent Chadha. They argued that the suspension should not extend beyond the specific session during which the decision to suspend the member was made.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat in response to the plea, and the case will be heard on October 30, 2023.

In addition to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Chadha has also named the House’s chairperson and the privileges committee as parties to his petition.

Senior Advocate Dwivedi clarified that he is not currently seeking interim relief in the petition. The Rajya Sabha passed a motion on August 11, proposed by Leader of the House Piyush Goyal, seeking action against the AAP leader. This action was taken due to Chadha including the names of certain Upper House members in a proposed select committee to consider the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, without their consent.

Chadha’s suspension, which occurred on the last day of the Monsoon session, was based on charges of “gross violation of rules, misconduct, defiant attitude, and contemptuous conduct.” The suspension will remain in effect pending a report by the privileges committee.