On Tuesday, AAP MP Raghav Chadha expressed his relief after Delhi High Court allowed his plea to prevent his eviction from the government bungalow assigned to him. He claimed that cancellation of his allotment was result of political vendetta. The court’s decision came as a relief to Chadha, challenging the trial court’s order that allowed his eviction from the bungalow. The trial court’s decision had paved the way for his removal.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani stated that the trial court’s previous order, issued on April 18, which prevented the Rajya Sabha Secretariat from evicting Chadha, was now reinstated and would remain in effect until the trial court made a decision on his application for interim relief.
Chadha Claims Allotment Cancellation Resulted from Malice
In his response, Chadha stated, “I appreciate the Delhi High Court’s decision to overturn the trial court’s order, which was unjustly against me. The cancellation of this allotment was a clear instance of political vendetta, an attempt to silence a young, outspoken parliamentarian.” He also emphasized that opposition voices were intentionally being targeted and highlighted that the fight was not just about a residence or a business; it was a battle to safeguard the Constitution.
Ye makan ya dukan ki nahin, Samvidhan ko bachane ki ladhayi hai
In the end, truth and justice have prevailed
My statement on the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's ruling to set aside the unjust order to evict me from my official residence. pic.twitter.com/fA7BJ2zLYm
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) October 17, 2023
Previous Court Order Preventing Eviction Reinstated by High Court
Chadha had contested the trial court’s October 5 order, which vacated its previous ruling on April 18. The court had argued that Chadha couldn’t claim an absolute right to occupy the government bungalow throughout his entire tenure as a Rajya Sabha member, especially after the cancellation of the allotment.
Chadha Emphasizes Battle Beyond Residence, Stresses Protection of Constitution
Chadha was initially allotted a ‘Type 6’ bungalow at Pandara Park on July 6 the previous year. Later, he requested a ‘Type 7’ accommodation from the Rajya Sabha chairman, leading to his assignment to another bungalow on Pandara Road from the Rajya Sabha pool. However, in March this year, this allotment was abruptly canceled.
According to the Rajya Sabha Members Handbook released in April 2022, Chadha, as a first-time MP, is ordinarily entitled to a Type-5 accommodation. The recent court decision has brought relief to Chadha in his ongoing legal battle to retain his residence.
