The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had directed Chadha to vacate the bungalow, claiming it exceeded his entitlement as a first-time MP, leading to a legal battle and calls for due process.
A controversy has emerged over the official bungalow allotted to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha, with a Delhi court temporarily suspending the order that cancelled his allotment. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had recently directed Chadha to vacate the bungalow in central Delhi's Pandara Road, citing that it exceeded his entitlement as a first-time MP.
"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 cancelled 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.
(With PTI Inputs)