Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar revoked the suspension of Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha from the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The suspension, which occurred during the Monsoon session of Parliament, was lifted following a motion presented by BJP Member of Parliament GVL Narsimha Rao.
A Privileges Committee meeting of the Rajya Sabha convened in Parliament to address the suspension matter involving the AAP leader. In a video message, Chadha acknowledged the role of the Supreme Court in facilitating the revocation of his 115-day suspension from the Rajya Sabha. He expressed gratitude to the honorable Supreme Court and the Rajya Sabha Chairman, emphasizing the impact of the suspension on his ability to pose questions to the people during that period.
Chadha had been suspended from the Upper House on August 11 for a “breach of privilege” following complaints. The allegation centered around his inclusion of the names of five Rajya Sabha MPs in a select committee without obtaining their consent. The suspension remained in effect until the Privilege Committee completed its investigation into the alleged forgery of signatures in a motion related to the Delhi Services Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Chadha, contesting the suspension as patently illegal and lacking legal authority, had approached the Supreme Court to challenge his indefinite suspension. In response, the Supreme Court directed Chadha to meet with Jagdeep Dhankhar and issue an unconditional apology. The court, hopeful of a sympathetic resolution, recorded Chadha’s lawyer’s statement that the MP had no intention of undermining the dignity of the House and would seek an appointment with the Rajya Sabha Chairperson to present an unconditional apology.
