Belagere, Raj must surrender before speaker or panel: Additional Advocate General
Both journalists, convicted of breach of members' privileges had filed a writ petition on Tuesday.
Bengaluru: The two journalists, facing imprisonment and penalty by the Legislative Privilege Committee must surrender before the committee or the speaker, the court on Friday directed the Additional Advocate General (AAG) A S Ponnanna, who in turn, informed the High Court that the jail sentence against Hai Bengaluru editor Ravi Belagere and Voice of Yelahanka Anil Raj cannot be suspended.
Both journalists, convicted of breach of members' privileges had filed a writ petition on Tuesday seeking quashing of the resolution by the privilege committee.
Hearing the application on Thursday, Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri directed the advocate to resolve the issue amicably after holding talks with the Speaker and state government. He adjourned the case to Saturday and suggested they resolve the issue amicably.
Mr. Ponnanna who argued the case on Friday also informed the court that unless the journalists surrender, the punishment awarded by the privilege committee cannot be suspended. Once they surrender, a special session can be convened to resolve the issue. The resolution passed in the session cannot be revoked by anybody, explained Mr. Ponnanna. The convicted journalists cannot seek any assurance for not being arrested, he said.
Anil Raj in Arsikere?
The Yelahanka police on Thursday night, arrested Mohan Kumar, a relative of Mr. Raj for financially supporting and sheltering the journalist who was absconding. He was released on bail on Friday. Shankarappa, the Counsel appearing or Mr. Belagere and Mr. Raj, raised the possibility of Mohan Kumar being subjected to harassment by the police. When the justice questioned on what grounds and why Mr. Mohan had been arrested, Mr. Ponnanna said that he was arrested on the charges of extending financial support and providing shelter. Mr. Mohan Kumar was produced before the magistrate on Friday afternoon before being released on bail.
On being asked why Mr. Mohan Kumar was not produced before the magistrate on Thursday, counsel said that he was interrogated to ascertain the whereabouts of Mr. Raj. Police have still been unable to trace Mr. Raj, although sources have indicated to DC that he could have been hiding in Kellengere in Arsikere at Mr Mohan Kumar’s home. As relatives of Mr. Mohan Kumar did not come to the station, he could not be produced before the magistrate, counsel explained. Following Mr. Shankarappa's request, the Judge directed police to refrain from harassing Mr. Mohan Kumar.