Rabri Devi’s Legal Fight Over Patna Bungalow Intensifies as Samrat Choudhary Seeks Eviction

When the gavel falls in Patna’s civil court this week, it won’t just be about bricks and mortar – it will be about two of Bihar’s most recognizable political names rubbing shoulders in a dispute that feels more like a drama than a legal proceeding.

Rabri Devi, the former chief minister and matriarch of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has filed a response to an eviction notice served by Samrat Choudhary, the son of a former deputy chief minister and a rising face in the state’s opposition. The crux of the matter? A bungalow in the upscale Ramna neighbourhood that both parties claim belongs to them.

According to court filings, the two‑storey house was constructed in the early 2000s and is allegedly part of a family property that Rabri’s side has held for years. Choudhary, on the other hand, argues that the structure was built on land that was allotted to him under a government scheme and that the ownership documents were never properly transferred.

“I have lived there for more than a decade and the house is an integral part of my family’s assets,” Rabri told the judge, her voice steady but tinged with the frustration that many of her supporters have expressed on social media. “The allegations made by Mr. Choudhary are baseless, and this eviction is nothing short of political pressure.”

Samrat Choudhary’s counsel, meanwhile, painted a different picture. “The property in question was allotted to my client in 2008. The legal title is on his name, and any claim to the contrary is a clear violation of his rights,” the lawyer said, pointing to a series of government orders that, according to him, substantiate the claim.

The courtroom drama is further spiced by the fact that both families have long histories of rivalry. Rabri’s RJD and Choudhary’s Janata Dal (United) allies have been at odds ever since the 2015 elections, and the bungalow row seems to be the latest front in that ongoing battle.

Adding a layer of complexity, the Patna court has issued a notice to both parties, asking them to appear before the judge on September 12. The judge, who has been handling the case since it was first filed two years ago, warned that any attempt to forcibly occupy or vacate the premises could lead to contempt proceedings.

Local residents, who have watched the back‑and‑forth from their balconies, say the dispute has become a neighbourhood talking point. “We’re just waiting to see what the court decides,” said one neighbour, shrugging. “It’s not every day you see two political heavyweights argue over a house.”

Legal experts note that property disputes involving political figures often take longer to resolve, given the extra layer of media scrutiny. “Even if the paperwork is clear, the court has to tread carefully, because any perceived bias could inflame political tensions,” said Shalini Mehta, a senior advocate based in Patna.

For Rabri Devi, the stakes are more than just a roof over her head. The bungalow symbolizes the larger narrative of her family’s post‑political life – a life where she continues to wield influence, even if she’s no longer in the chief minister’s chair. “This is about dignity, about respecting the contributions my family has made to the state,” she remarked in a brief interview after filing her reply.

Samrat Choudhary, meanwhile, sees the case as an opportunity to assert his own claim to legitimacy. “We’re not trying to target anyone personally,” he said through his spokesperson. “We simply want the law to recognize the rightful owner of the property.”

As the date for the next hearing approaches, both camps are rallying support. RJD workers have been seen distributing pamphlets that portray the eviction as an act of intimidation, while JD(U) supporters are emphasizing the legal merits of Choudhary’s claim.

Whatever the verdict, the outcome will likely echo beyond the four walls of the Ramna bungalow, offering a glimpse into how Bihar’s political elite navigate personal disputes in a highly charged environment.