Let go of journos: Kimmane Ratnakar to Speaker KB Koliwad

Hubballi: Chairman of privileges committee, Kimmane Ratnakar, has stepped in to prevent the arrest and imprisonment of two editors by writing to Speaker K.B. Koliwad to put the sentence on hold. The latter not only feigned ignorance about the letter but also took a stand that he had no power to annul, modify or revoke a decision of the lower House.

Mr  Ratnakar’s letter comes in the wake of widespread criticism about the one-year imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 each to two editors—Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj-for breach of privilege.

Mr Koliwad said he had not received any letter from Mr Kimmane Ratnakar as has been in his home constituence for hte last three days. Once a letter or document is tabled on the floor of the House, he explained, only legislators can take a decision. In this case, too, only the House has powers to decide, not himself.

Meanwhile, sources told DC the privileges committee merely discussed a complaint filed by Yelahanka BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath in connection with an alleged defamatory article published in a tabloid. The Speaker was to decide the quantum of punishment, and recommended one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. This second recommendation, made by an earlier committee, has been in cold storage. Members reportedly suggested the panel chairman take up both cases and table the report on the floor of the House. 

Sources said there was no reportedly no clarity among members of the committee on fixing the quantum of punishment for breach of privilege of a member by an outsider officer and minister. Mr Ratnakar, who happened to a member of the rules committee, requested the law secretary to study prevailing rules in other Assemblies. The secretary, Legislative Assembly, was reportedly told to bring the report to the Speaker’s notice, so the latter could discuss it witht he CM, Opposition and ruling party leaders. He also wanted the House to debate framing rules for the privileges committee to ease its functioning.

Once the committee gauged the widespread criticism, Mr Kimmane Ratnakar reportedly spoke to former minister Mr Suresh Kumar, who asked him to write a letter to the Speaker to put the decision on hold. The committee’s decisions are dealt with by three departments-home, Legislative Assembly and law. In the absence of clear cut rules, it would be difficult for the committee to take up breach of privileges of legislators, sources added.