Sign forgery charges against Raghav Chadha: RS sends complaint to privileges committee

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday referred the complaints of four MPs, who accused AAP MP Raghav Chadha of proposing their name in a House panel without their consent in violation of rules, to the privileges committee to examine and investigate the matter.

A Rajya Sabha bulletin said the chairman had received complaints from MPs Sasmit Patra, S Phangnon Konyak, M Thambidurai and Narhari Amin, who alleged breach of privilege by Chadha "for inter-alia including their names without their consent, in violation of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, in a motion on August 7".

Chadha had proposed the constitution of a Select Committee to consider the ‘Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and had included the names of the four MPs.

"On consideration of the facts, the Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha has referred the matter under Rule 203 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report," the RS bulletin said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defended Chadha, insisting he had done no wrong and alleged that the government wanted to end his Rajya Sabha membership.

"Their aim is to end Raghav Chadha's membership like they did with Rahul Gandhi... we are not scared... What is the whole issue? Can any member suggest anyone's name for a Select Committee? Yes. Is there any requirement for any signature? No, Raghav Chadha has not breached any privilege," he said.

Chadha had given notice on August 4, 2023 to Rajya Sabha Secretariat about his intention to move an amendment to the ‘Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ as passed by Lok Sabha for its reference to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha consisting of 19 members including the four members who later filed the complaint.

The Bill was taken up for consideration on August 7.