The Hindu : National : Court notice on 'privileges'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

National

National

Court notice on 'privileges'

By Our legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 19. The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Central and the State Governments, while admitting a special leave petition (SLP) seeking the codification of Parliamentary and Legislative House privileges.

Considering the importance of the issues involved in the SLP filed by B. Krishna Bhatt, a Bench comprising Justice N. Santosh Hegde and Justice S. B. Sinha, referred the matter for hearing before a larger Bench after hearing the senior counsel, Shanthi Bhushan.

Mr. Bhatt had been proceeded against by the Karnataka Assembly for alleged breach of privileges for alleging that public money was squandered by the MLAs by going on frequent foreign visits. He had challenged it before the Karnataka High Court which had dismissed his petition stating that there were adequate provisions in the Constitution providing for the privileges and immunity enjoyed by the members of the House.

Mr. Bhatt had submitted that in the absence of codification of privileges of the House and those of the members, it would not be possible for the House to determine whether any statement made by a person breached the same or not.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National