- By Vivek Raj
- Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday contended before the Delhi High Court, arguing that he is being unfairly targeted due to his vocal opposition stance. Chadha is the sole sitting Rajya Sabha lawmaker ever to face eviction from his allocated government bungalow.
Chadha argued that the allocation of accommodation for MPs involves a guided discretion process, taking into account individual circumstances. He pointed out that out of 245 Rajya Sabha MPs, 115 were granted accommodation beyond their default entitlement.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Chadha, highlighted the need for Z+ security due to threats against the MP. However, the security personnel couldn't be accommodated in his former bungalow at Pandara Park. The Punjab government, under AAP, provided Chadha with Z+ security as he is a Rajya Sabha MP from the state. Given his close association with the Punjab-Delhi region and his status as an incumbent MP and former MLA, he receives regular visitors.
ALSO READ: Israel-Palestine War: Analysing The Gulf Stance And How The Conflict Is Dividing Middle-East
Chadha argued that he is a victim of "selective targeting" and the only Rajya Sabha MP in history to be evicted from an allotted bungalow after accepting it, conducting renovations, and starting to live there with his family. The petition criticised the haste with which notices were sent to him by the Rajya Sabha secretariat following the trial court's order.
The Rajya Sabha secretariat, represented by Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit, opposed Chadha's plea, asserting that an MP cannot claim equal rights over government property simply due to another's benefit. They argued that the trial court had granted Chadha interim relief without due process and that there was no urgency for this relief.
The high court will continue the hearing on Thursday. Chadha's plea also highlighted the attempt to silence vocal parliamentarians, which affects the effective functioning of a democracy.
The trial court, in its October 5 order, ruled that Chadha couldn't claim an absolute right to occupy the bungalow throughout his tenure as an MP. It noted that the allotment is a privilege, not a vested right.
Chadha had initially been allotted a 'Type 6' bungalow at Pandara Park in July last year but later requested a 'Type 7' accommodation, leading to a subsequent allotment. However, in March this year, this allocation was canceled. According to the Rajya Sabha Members Handbook released in April 2022, Chadha, as a first-time MP, is entitled to a Type-5 accommodation in the normal course, with Type-7 reserved for specific categories of MPs.
