SC To Hear Today Arnab Goswami's Plea Challenging "Breach Of Privilege Motion" Notice By Maharashtra Assembly

Arnab Goswami, Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the breach of privilege motion against him by Maharashtra Assembly & Legislative Council.

The motion was moved against Goswami by Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, accusing Goswami of using derogatory language against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar in relation to inaction by the State Government viz. the unfortunate death of Actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Party legislator Manisha Kayande moved a similar motion in the legislative council. 

Following this, a 60-page notice was sent to Arnab Goswami, stipulating that he has breached the privileges of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra.

A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justices AS Bopanna & V. Ramasubramaniun is expected to take up the plea at noon today.

A similar motion has been moved against Actress Kangana Ranaut for her allegedly derogatory remarks against Maharashtra, comparing the State to POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir).

Articles 105/194 of the Constitution deal with the powers, privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament/State Legislatures and their House, Members and Committees.

The powers, privileges and immunities of either House of the Indian Parliament and of its Members and committees are laid down in Article 105 of the Constitution.

Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and immunities of the State Legislatures, their Members and their committees.

Any act that obstructs or impedes either House of the state legislature in performing its functions, or which obstructs or impedes any Member or officer of such House in the discharge of his duty, or has a tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results is treated as breach of privilege.

Each House also claims the right to punish actions which, while not breaches of any specific privilege, are offences against its authority or dignity, such as disobedience to its legitimate commands or libels upon itself.

In his response to the notice, Goswami had released a statement that had said that the Maharashtra assembly had sent him a notice, threatening to jail him, but he will continue to question Uddhav Thackeray and elected representatives. He had also added that that he had decided to contest the notice.