In a recent legal development, the Delhi court has revoked the interim stay that allowed AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha to occupy a government bungalow, following the cancellation of his allotment. This decision paves the way for the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to request Chadha's eviction from the premises at any time.
Chadha responded to the court's ruling by describing the cancellation of his allotment as arbitrary and unprecedented. He alleged that this decision was influenced by political motives and vested interests associated with the BJP. Chadha also mentioned that he intends to pursue appropriate legal action in response, as reported by NDTV.
Chadha accused the BJP of targeting him and attempting to stifle political criticism from MPs like himself. He expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of his allotment, highlighting that such an action had not occurred in over seven decades of Rajya Sabha history. He alleged irregularities in the order and claimed that the Rajya Sabha Secretariat's actions violated established rules and regulations.
In a scathing critique of the BJP, Chadha asserted that these actions were orchestrated to advance their political agenda and silence vocal parliamentarians. He also noted his suspension as a Member of Parliament, suggesting a pattern of unwarranted interference in the discharge of MPs' duties.
To support his claims, Chadha pointed out that many of his neighbors, who were also first-time MPs, were allocated similar accommodations exceeding their entitlement. He cited specific names and revealed that a significant number of Rajya Sabha members were residing in accommodations above their designated entitlement.
The legal dispute began when Chadha, who was initially allocated a Type 6 bungalow in July the previous year, requested a larger Type 7 accommodation, which was granted to him in September. However, the allotment was subsequently canceled in March, with the Rajya Sabha Secretariat arguing that as a first-time MP, Chadha was not entitled to such a high-grade bungalow.
Chadha had sought refuge in the Delhi's Patiala House court, which had initially granted him an interim stay on April 18. Nevertheless, the court's recent decision emphasized that Chadha does not possess an absolute right to occupy the bungalow. The court clarified that the allotment of government accommodation is a privilege, not a vested right, and compared Chadha's status to that of a licensee.
The Rajya Sabha housing committee had previously asserted that the Type 7 bungalow exceeded Chadha's entitlement as a first-time MP, typically reserved for former Union Ministers, governors, or chief ministers. They also cited an example of a BJP MP being transferred from a Type 7 to a Type 5 bungalow.
Chadha concluded by stating his intention to take appropriate legal action and affirmed his commitment to representing the interests of Punjab and India, regardless of the challenges involved. He expressed concern about the selective targeting of vocal representatives and the potential impact on the nation's democratic processes.
