A heated controversy has erupted surrounding the official bungalow assigned to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha, as a Delhi court has temporarily suspended the order that revoked his allotment. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had recently instructed Chadha to vacate the bungalow located on Pandara Road in central Delhi, asserting that it exceeded his entitlement as a first-time MP. The court’s intervention adds further complexity to the ongoing dispute.
“Mr. Chadha ‘would suffer irreparable injury if he is dispossessed without due process of law’,” said Additional District Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 10, reported by NDTV.
Rajya Sabha housing committee chairman, CM Ramesh, announced plans to challenge the court’s ruling, arguing that Chadha, as a first-time MP, is not eligible for a Type 7 bungalow typically reserved for former Union Ministers, former governors, and former chief ministers.
“Even BJP MP Radha Mohan Das had been moved from a Type 7 to a Type 5 bungalow,” said Ramesh. “The previous allotments were amended by the housing committee.”
Chadha, who approached the court following the cancellation notice, sought the declaration of the notice as illegal and claimed damages amounting to ₹5.50 lakh for the mental agony and harassment caused.
“At this stage, I do not deem it expedient to comment on the arguments raised by the plaintiff that the allotment once made by the secretariat cannot be canceled under any circumstances during the entire tenure of a Member of Parliament,” the judge had said.
“Since the plaintiff (Chadha) is occupying an accommodation, which falls under the category of public premises, the defendant (Rajya Sabha Secretariat) is obligated to follow the due process of law,” the judge said.
“In view of these circumstances, a prima facie case is made out for issuing directions to the effect that the plaintiff shall not be dispossessed from the bungalow… without due process of law,” the judge added.
Chadha has urged the court to restrain the Rajya Sabha Secretariat from taking further action or reassigning the bungalow to another individual.