HC bench recuses itself from hearing MPs plea against eviction

A two-judge bench of Delhi High Court today recused itself from hearing appeals by Congress MPs Kumari Selja and Ambika Soni against an earlier order by a single judge that they were not entitled to accommodation in type-VIII bungalows.
A bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Mukta Gupta sent the file to the Chief Justice to list it before an appropriate bench on August 13.
Justice Gupta recused from hearing the matter saying she has already heard the matter in June and had passed some order. She said that the matter be listed before the bench of which she will not be a part.

A bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini had earlier said that the judgment by which it was held that both the Congress MPs were not entitled to accommodation in type-VIII bungalows cannot be interfered with.
However, 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 large type-VIII bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi. Costs of Rs 25,000 each was also imposed on them.

The bench headed by the Chief Justice Rohini had directed the registry to list it before another bench on August 11.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the MPs, submitted that they ere not saying they were entitled to larger accommodation, but rather their contention is "how can the estate office set aside an allotment made by the House committee".
Central Government Standing Counsel Jasmeet Singh opposed the appeals of the MPs.