When Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra moved the “reconsideration proposal” on imposing prison sentence and fine on two tabloid editors on the charge of breach of privilege, only three MLAs argued for it. A majority stuck to the stand that the punishment should be carried out, while some even argued for doubling it.
On June 21, the Assembly adopted the recommendations of the Committee of Privileges to imprison and fine Ravi Belagere of Hai Bengaluru and Anil Raj of Yelahanka Voice . The committee had looked into some allegedly defamatory articles against three MLAs. Speaker K.B. Koliwad approved the recommendations.
Defending the House’s resolution on Tuesday, Mr. Koliwad said there are no directions on the matter from the High Court, which had dismissed the writ petition. “There is no clear-cut definition of privilege. If it is defined, then the privileges of members of Parliament and legislature are restricted. A large scope is given for privileges of MPs and MLAs,” he said.
Hai Bengaluru had published articles against Mr. Koliwad and Congress MLA B.M. Nagaraj, while BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath had complained against Yelahanka Voice . Former Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, who is now a Minister, referred the issue to the Committee of Privileges in 2014.
Several MLAs cutting across party lines said the House should not succumb to any pressure and it was an insult to them if the journalists’ plea was accepted.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA G.H. Srinivas said a Bill was needed on regulating the media, on the lines of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Bill. S. Suresh Kumar (of the BJP) and Y.S.V. Datta (JD-S) opined that the House’s decision should not become a “laughing stock”. They urged the Speaker to take the “right decision” to avoid any kind of embarrassment in the future.
Reading out a written statement from the advocate representing the journalists, Mr. Suresh Kumar said: “My view is that the articles have not breached the privileges of members and have not impeded the functioning of the House.”
Mr. Datta endorsed this view and said there was no clarity on the privileges of members.
Health and Family Welfare Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar said the House has every right to drop the punishment. The editors can confess to their mistakes and plead for reconsideration of punishment, he said.
Will go to court: Belagere’s lawyer
Editor Ravi Belagere’s advocate Shankarappa said they would move the courts against the rejection of the reconsideration plea in the Assembly. He called it a “violation of principles of natural justice and fundamental rights”.
Mr. Shankarappa told The Hindu that they had not received prior intimation of the issue’s inclusion on the day’s agenda. “We have been forced to run from pillar to post seeking [an] opportunity to defend our case,” he said.
