Another HC bench recuses from MPs plea against eviction

Another division bench of the Delhi High Court today recused itself from hearing appeals by Congress MPs and former union ministers Kumari Selja and Ambika Soni against an earlier order by a single judge that they were not entitled to large bungalows here.
A bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani sent the file to the Chief Justice to list it before an appropriate bench on August 18.
The bench did not give a reason for recusing from hearing the matter.
A bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini had earlier recused from hearing the matter.
The Chief Justice had, however, said that the judgement by which it was held that both the Congress MPs were not entitled to accommodation in type-VIII bungalows cannot be interfered with.

The bench had said that it was willing to set aside costs imposed upon both the Rajya Sabha MPs.

Both the MPs had filed appeals against the high court's July 30 order dismissing their pleas against the Centre's direction to evict them from type-VIII bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi. Costs of Rs 25,000 each was also imposed on them.
The MPs, in their plea, have submitted that they were not saying they were entitled to larger accommodation but rather their contention was "how can the estate office set aside an allotment made by the House committee".
Central government's Standing Counsel Jasmeet Singh, appearing for the estate office, had opposed the appeals of the MPs.