The Maharashtra Assembly and the Legislative Council on Tuesday reportedly passed proposals saying that it would not take cognizance of notices sent by the High Court or the Supreme Court in Breach of Privilege motion against Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami.
The proposals stated that taking note of the Courts’ notices would “mean accepting that the judiciary can keep a check on the legislature”, which it said would be “against the Constitution of India”.
The proposal “passed unanimously” in the State Assembly reportedly stated that Speaker Nana Patole and Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal “would not respond to any notice or summons issued by the Supreme Court”.
“The Constitution has set clear cut boundaries for the three organs of the government — the judiciary, the legislature and the executive. Each organ should honour these boundaries. No one should encroach on each other’s territories,” said Speaker Patole.
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Meanwhile, the proposal ‘passed’ in the Legislative Council also stated that “no cognizance will be taken of any notice or summons issued by the High Court or Supreme Court if Goswami challenges Breach of Privilege proceedings”.
“…publicly, the legislature, secretariat, its secretaries and other officers responding to court notices and other correspondence means, in a way, accepting that the judiciary can keep a check on the legislature and it would be inconsistent with the Basic Structure of the Constitution,” said Chairman Nimbalkar.
Meanwhile, both the Houses also extended the time given to their privilege committees for deciding the motion against Arnab Goswami, and another on remarks passed by actor Kangana Ranaut.