AAP MP Raghav Chadha Moves Delhi High Court Against Cancellation Of Govt Bungalow

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha on Monday moved the Delhi High Court challenging a letter issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat last year cancelling allotment of his government bungalow.

The matter was listed today before a division bench comprising Justice Rekha Palli and Justice Saurabh Banerjee.

Justice Palli recused from hearing the case and directed that the plea be listed before another bench on December 18.

“List the matter before another bench of which one of us [Justice Rekha Palli] is not a member. List on December 18,” the Court said.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Chadha.

The development ensued after a trial court on November 26 dismissed Chadha's interim injunction application in his civil suit and held that there was no legal justification to permit him to retain the accommodation.

It was also held that Chadha has already been allotted Type-VI accommodation in sync with the Guidelines for Allotment.

Chadha has now moved the High Court challenging the letter issued by the Director of Rajya Sabha Secretariat on March 03, 2023, cancelling allotment of his government bungalow and allotting another accommodation to him.

In the interim, Chadha has also sought directions on the authorities to refrain from taking any action under or pursuant to the Cancellation Letter.

About the Case

Last year, an Additional District Judge had vacated an interim order directing the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to not dispossess Chadha from the government bungalow without due process of law.

The trial court had held that Chadha had no vested right to continue to occupy the government bungalow after its allotment has been canceled and the privilege given to him has been withdrawn.

The trial court had also rejected Chadha's argument that the accommodation once made to a Member of Parliament cannot be canceled under any circumstances during the entire tenure of Member of Parliament.

A single judge bench of Delhi High Court had then allowed Chadha's appeal against the trial court order. It was directed that the trial court shall proceed with Chadha's suit in accordance with law.

Title: Raghav Chadha v. Union of India & Ors.