Raghav Chadha to tender an unconditional apology to Rajya Sabha Chairperson, SC urges to then consider suspension sympathetically

Today, the Supreme Court of India was hearing the matter related to the suspension of Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha for not obtaining the consent of five Rajya Sabha members before proposing their names for the Select Committee. During the proceedings today, MP Raghav Chadha told the Supreme Court that he would tender an unconditional apology to Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankar for the same. The bench said in the order, “It has been submitted that Raghav Chadha is the youngest member of the August House. Bearing in mind that he had no intention to attack the dignity of the House, it is assured that Raghav Chadha shall meet the chairperson and tender an unconditional apology which shall be considered sympathetically in the background of facts and circumstances of the House.” The matter was heard by a three-judge bench of the SC consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra. The matter was listed for the next hearing after the Diwali break so that the SC could be apprised of the matter by Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

While hearing the matter, the CJI said, “Last time we said that if he was tendering an apology, the Chairperson, who is a very distinguished person and a senior constitutional functionary, perhaps he may take an objective view.” Both AG and SG agreed with same. Further, CJI asked Advocate Shadan Farasat, who appeared for Mr. Chadha, if he would be willing to tender an apology, “Mr. Farasat, you have already apologized six times. But would you be willing to seek an appointment with the Hon’ble Chairperson and meet the Chairperson, tender an apology?” To this, SA replied, “He is the youngest member in the House of Elders. Of course, he doesn’t mind tendering an apology. Even in my letter to the Privileges Committee, I had said my personal apology to the Chairperson…” Moreover, CJI also recollected the SC statements from the previous hearing and reiterated the Chairperson to take a view accordingly regarding the apology. CJI said, “I had said last time that if Mr. Chadha is willing to tender an apology, the chairman who is a distinguished senior can take a view as to how long can we keep him in suspension. We are also aware of the dignity of the house and that along with being the Vice President he (Jagdeep Dhankar) is the Chairperson of the House and if he (Chadha) apologizes to him then the Chairman can take a view accordingly.”