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Scribe arrest case: Politicians pass buck between CM, Speaker and House

  • Legislative Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad is keen on punitive action against tabloid journalists Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj
  • CM Siddaramaiah has instructed police not to arrest Belagere, owing to his ill health
  • Koliwad however says neither he nor the CM have powers to overrule the House decision
  • Home department submits a report to the Speaker stating that efforts are on to arrest the journalists
Scribe arrest case Politicians pass buck between CM Speaker and House

Looks like there is no respite for the two tabloid journalists Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj, who have been sentenced to one year imprisonment for breach of privilege, as Legislative Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad is in no mood to reverse his ruling. 

This despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself directing the police to not to arrest tabloid journalist Ravi Belagere, who had been hospitalised. On Wednesday, Siddaramaiah told reporters in New Delhi that the government was aware of Belagere’s ailments and that he should not be arrested as he is seeking treatment.

Siddaramaiah however made no mention of Raj, who has remained untraceable ever since the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking punitive action against the duo on June 22. The legislature’s decision has come under severe criticism from various quarters. Not only has the Editors Guild of India has taken strong exception to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s decision, policy makers cutting across party lines have sought a relook into the matter.

On Wednesday, the Home department submitted a report to the Speaker stating that the police is making concerted efforts to arrest the journalists. Home Secretary Subhash Chandra, accompanied by DG&IG R K Datta and Bengaluru Police Commissioner Praveen Sood submitted a three page report to Assembly Secretary S Murthy. Murthy later told reporters that the report would be submitted to the Speaker for his perusal. Koliwad, who was upset over the delay in the arrest of the journalists had sought an action taken report by the police.

The report has detailed that while Belagere has been hospitalised, the police has failed to trace Raj. The report also mentions how the police followed Belagere to Joida, and later to Dharwad, where Belagere avoided arrest. Belagere, a diabetic, is presently seeking treatment at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). Belagere has not been arrested owing to his health conditions, the report adds.

When contacted, Koliwad said that the Chief Minister has no powers to defer the arrest. “I am not aware if the Chief Minister has intervened in this matter, but the fact remains that he cannot overrule the House decision. Only the House is empowered to withdraw or revoke the resolution. I can’t take a suo motu decision in this matter, not can the Chief Minister,” he said.

When asked if he would soften his stand following the criticisms surrounding the issue, Koliwad reiterated that the ball was not in his court. “The decision now rests with the government. The legislature session can be convened only if the State cabinet decides to do so. Also, if there are criticisms, I am in no way concerned,” he said. The Speaker also said that the police was “bound to do their job”, and that they cannot delay the arrest.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar however disagrees with the Speaker. Contending that Belagere’s name was not mentioned in the privilege committee report that was submitted to the House, he has demanded Siddaramaiah to request Koliwad to “reconsider” his decision. Speaking to Asianet Newsable he said, “There was no unanimous decision in the House. The  ruling was given by the Speaker. There is a gross irregularity, as a ruling was passed against Belagere though his name has not been mentioned in the privilege committee report. Only the Speaker has the power to undo this mistake,” he added. 

MP Rajeev Chandrashekar has said that Assembly’s decision indicated gross misuse of powers and privilege of the State legislature. Stating that the decision violated the Fundamental Right of Freedom of Speech and Press under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, he has implored the Assembly to withdraw the resolution.

JD(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti told Asianet Newsable that he has written to the Chief Minister seeking the same. He too said that the Speaker was vested with the powers to take a call on the matter. “The Speaker can suggest the cabinet to convene the session, so that the resolution can be withdrawn,” he added.

For the moment, there is no clarity on whether or not the government will take up the matter in the next cabinet meeting. 
The journalists, who have sought legal recourse, can only hope that the Court comes to their rescue. 
 

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