The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed a motion to end the suspension of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha following a recommendation by the privileges committee. The suspension from August 11 would be taken as “sufficient sentence” for the charges against Mr. Chadha, including not abiding by the House rules and the Chair’s orders and recommending members to a select committee without their consent.
Reading out his decision, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the privileges panel, headed by Deputy Chairman Harivansh, had a deep and thoughtful consideration of the charges and found that Mr. Chadha was guilty of intentionally and deliberately presenting misleading facts to the media. The charges also include adding the names of members to a proposed Select Committee on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill without their consent and misinterpreting proceedings of the Rajya Sabha resulting in an affront to the authority of the Chairman and engaging in “outrageous defiance” of the resolutions of the House and directives.
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“As regards the sentence, the committee finds the suspension suffered by him since August 11, 2023 from the House thus far as sufficient sentence that will meet the ends of justice,” Mr. Dhankhar said quoting the report.
Reiterating its commitment to upholding the sanctity of parliamentary proceedings and safeguarding the integrity of the institution, the panel expressed hope that Mr. Chadha would “reflect and introspect”.
BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao later moved a motion to consider the suspension “suffered by him so far be taken as sufficient punishment”. It was passed following which the Chairman allowed Mr. Chadha to attend the House.
In the evening, Mr. Dhankhar appealed to the members to show a conduct which is gladly emulated by others. He urged every member to go through the report of the privileges panel. “I had the occasion to see the young man. There should have been remorse, there should have been reflection. It was a day on which he was held guilty on both the counts by a very detailed report. The suspension had not come to an end. The sentence was limited to this day. So here was a case where a Member of this House suffered being held guilty and punished. I would urge everyone to live up to the highest expectations,” the Chairman said.
Mr. Chadha, in a statement, said he was happy that his suspension had ended. “I am thankful to the Supreme Court and Rajya Sabha Chairman for this. During the 115 days, I got a lot of love and blessings from people. I got strength from you guys. I am thankful to you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
