Southern States - Karnataka   

Krishna Bhat walks out of panel hearing

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE DEC. 27. The President of the Vishwabharathi House Building Cooperative Society, B. Krishna Bhat, on Saturday appeared before the Privileges Committee of the Legislative Council for allegedly committing breach of privileges of members of both the Houses. But Mr. Bhat staged a walkout during the hearing of the committee without giving any explanation for the charges against him.

Mr. Bhat said that the committee was not a full-fledged court. "I came here as a citizen of the country," he added. He submitted a memorandum to the Chairman of the committee, M.C. Nanaiah, seeking an advocate to assist him in answering the charges, and left the room. The committee gave him permission to appoint an advocate.

Mr. Nanaiah said Mr. Bhat's actions amounted to breach of privileges of the committee. "The committee will take serious note of it and take action as per the law," Mr. Nanaiah said. The committee has posted the hearing to a later date.

Mr. Bhat filed a public interest writ petition before the Karnataka High Court challenging the "foreign jaunt" of legislators last year. In another case, he wrote to the Chairman of the Legislative Council regarding a discussion in the Council on the society's layout. He said the matter related to the housing project was before the City Civil Court, High Court, and the Supreme Court, and a discussion on the subject could not take place. The presiding officers of both the Houses took exception to Mr. Bhat's actions as the members had complained that he committed breach of their privileges. The matter was referred to the committee, and Mr. Bhat was asked to appear before it. The High Court, which had granted a stay on his appearance before the committee, vacated it.

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