Judge recuses herself from MP Raghav Chadha’s case

A Delhi High Court judge Justice Rekha Palli on Monday recused herself from hearing AAP MP Raghav Chadha’s plea concerning his official accommodation.

Justice Palli revealed her attendance at a function organised by Chadha and directed that the case be listed before another Bench on Wednesday.

Chadha’s dispute began in September 2022 when he was allotted a Type-VII bungalow at Pandara Road, higher than his entitlement. In March 2023, the allotment was cancelled, and he was offered a Type-VI flat instead. Challenging this decision, Chadha argued that the House Committee Chairman lacked the authority to revoke a valid allotment.

An Additional District Judge initially granted Chadha interim relief in April 2023, but it was later vacated after the Rajya Sabha Secretariat contested the procedural validity. In October, the High Court temporarily restored the earlier protection and directed the district court to reconsider Chadha’s plea.

Last month, Additional Sessions Judge Sumit Dass dismissed Chadha’s application, ruling he had no legal right to retain the Type-VII bungalow as he was merely a licensee. The court noted Chadha was already allotted a Type-VI accommodation, aligning with entitlement guidelines, and was not prejudiced by the cancellation.