The Supreme Court on Friday, 3 November, asked AAP MP Raghav Chadha to meet Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar and offer an unconditional apology for his alleged misconduct in the House, for which he was suspended in August.
Chadha had allegedly not obtaining the consent of five Rajya Sabha MPs before including their names in a select committee.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, in their order, said the Rajya Sabha Chairperson should sympathetically consider the apology of the AAP leader.
Chadha's lawyer stated that the suspended AAP MP will seek an appointment with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to clarify his intention not to harm the dignity of the Upper House of Parliament.
Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing Chadha, stated that Chadha, the youngest Rajya Sabha member, is willing to offer an unconditional apology again. Chadha has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging his suspension from the Rajya Sabha.
The top court stated on Monday that suspending an MP has "serious repercussions" on the rights of the electorate being represented by him.
The Supreme Court noted that allegations against Chadha do not involve the signature fabrication of members who didn't give their consent. Chadha argued that the Rajya Sabha Chairman cannot suspend a House member pending inquiry, especially when a committee on privileges is already investigating the same issue.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)