Justice Rekha Palli on Monday recused herself from hearing a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, challenging a trial court order that upheld the cancellation of his bungalow allotment by the Rajya Sabha House Committee Chairman.

The matter has now been listed for December 18, 2024, before an appropriate bench.

Chadha, a first-time MP, was allotted a Type VII bungalow at Pandara Road in September 2022, which he occupied in November 2022. However, on March 3, 2023, the allotment was revoked on the grounds that, as a first-time MP, he was entitled only to a Type VI accommodation. Following the cancellation, an alternative residence at Swajas Deluxe was offered to him.

In his plea, Chadha argued that the revocation was arbitrary, claiming he was not granted an opportunity to be heard, and the cancellation letter lacked valid reasoning or justification.

The trial court, however, ruled in favor of the House Committee Chairman, stating that the authority to revoke a higher-category allotment rested with the Chairman. It found no evidence of malafide intent or bias and noted that Chadha had been provided an alternative accommodation appropriate to his entitlement.

The court further pointed out that Chadha had access to both a Type VII bungalow and a Type VI residence during the litigation period, holding him liable for costs associated with the unutilized Type VI accommodation.

Case Title: Raghav Chadha v Union Of India (W.P.(C) 17320 / 2024)