The membership of the Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha was suspended during the Monsoon session of the Parliament. As soon as the Winter session started on Monday, BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao moved a proposal to reinstate Chadha’s membership.
Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee met in Parliament on Sunday afternoon to discuss the suspension of AAP leader Kechadha. In this meeting, the decision to withdraw the suspension of Raghav Chaddha was taken.
In a video message after the withdrawal of suspension, Raghav Chadha said, “My suspension (from the Rajya Sabha as a member) was revoked due to the intervention of the Supreme Court. The suspension was revoked through a resolution in the House. I was suspended for 115 days.” I could not ask people’s questions during this period. Today I thank the Honorable Supreme Court and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Chadha was suspended from the Upper House on August 11 this year for “breach of privilege” following complaints. The MP was accused of not taking the consent of five Rajya Sabha MPs before including their names in the select committee.
He was suspended until the Privileges Committee presented its findings on the allegation of five MPs forging signatures in a motion related to the Delhi Services Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Chadha had earlier described the suspension as clearly illegal and without authority of law.
Facing suspension, Chadha had moved the apex court challenging his indefinite suspension from the Upper House. However, the Supreme Court asked Chadha to meet Jagdeep Dhankhar and tender an unconditional apology.
A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra hoped that the Speaker would take a “sympathetic” approach to the matter. The bench recorded the statement of Chadha’s counsel that the MP had no intention of affecting the dignity of the House of which he is a member and that he would seek time to meet the Rajya Sabha Chairman so that he could tender an unconditional apology.
Why was Raghav Chadha suspended?
On August 11, leader of the House Piyush Goyal had presented a proposal in the Rajya Sabha. Action was demanded against AAP leader Raghav for including names of some members in the proposed selection committee without their consent. After the Rajya Sabha passed the resolution, Chadha was suspended on the last day of the monsoon session for “gross violation of rules, misconduct, unruly attitude and contemptible conduct” pending the report of the privileges committee.
What happens under Rule 256 under which Rajya Sabha MPs are suspended?
If the Rajay Sabha Chairman considers necessary, he can suspend a member who usurps the authority of the Chair or who repeatedly and deliberately misuses the rules of the Rajya Sabha by obstructing the work of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman can suspend a member from the service of the Rajya Sabha for such a period till the end of the session or it can remain in force even for some days of the session 3. As soon as the suspension takes place, the Rajya Sabha member will have to leave the house immediately.
How is suspension done under Rule 255 in Rajya Sabha?
If the Rajya Sabha Chairman feels that the behaviour of any member is grossly disorderly, then he can direct him to leave the Rajya Sabha. The suspension under this rule will be applicable only for that day. In that, that member will have to stay out of the House.
