Delay in Test Identification & Absence of Motive Fatal to Prosecution: Allahabad High Court Acquits Man for Murder Tokre Koli or Dhor Koli – Both Stand on Same Legal Footing: Bombay High Court Slams Scrutiny Committee for Disregarding Pre-Constitutional Records Consent Is No Defence When Victim Is Under 16: Delhi High Court Upholds Rape Conviction Granting Pre-Arrest Bail in Minor Rape Cases Would Send a Harmful Societal Signal: Delhi High Court Refuses Anticipatory Bail to Accused Citing POCSO’s Rigorous Standards Void Marriage No Shield Against Cruelty Charges: Karnataka High Court Affirms Section 498A Applies Even In Deceptive and Void Marital Relationships Consolidation Authorities Cannot Confer Ownership Or Alter Scheme Post Confirmation Without Due Process: Punjab & Haryana High Court Reaffirms Civil Court’s Jurisdiction Over Void Post-Scheme Orders Daughter’s Right Extinguished When Partition Effected Prior to 2005 Amendment: Madras High Court Trial Courts Cannot Direct Filing of Challan After Conviction — Punjab & Haryana High Court Quashes Directions Against DSP Veer Singh Rule 4 Creates Parity, Not a Parallel Pension Pipeline: Rajasthan High Court Denies Dual Pension to Ex-Chief Justice Serving as SHRC Chairperson Right to Be Heard Must Be Preserved Where Claim Has a Legal Basis: Orissa High Court Upholds Impleadment of Will Beneficiary in Partition Suit Long-Term Ad Hocism Is Exploitation, Not Employment: Orissa High Court Orders Regularization Of Junior Typist After 25 Years Of Service PIL Cannot Be a Tool for Personal Grievances: Supreme Court Upholds Municipal Body’s Power to Revise Property Tax After 16 Years Omission of Accused’s Name by Eyewitness in FIR is a Fatal Lacuna: Supreme Court Acquits Man Convicted of Murder Correction In Revenue Map Under Section 30 Isn’t A Tool To Shift Plot Location After 17 Years: Supreme Court Quashes High Court’s Remand Casteist Abuses Must Be In Public View: Supreme Court Quashes SC/ST Act Proceedings Where Alleged Insults Occurred Inside Complainant’s House Resignation Bars Pension, But Not Gratuity: Supreme Court Draws Sharp Line Between Voluntary Retirement and Resignation in DTC Employee Case

Supreme Court Halts Lok Sabha Privilege Committee Action Against West Bengal Officials

07 May 2024 8:19 AM

By: Admin

The Supreme Court's interim order in Writ Petition (Civil) No.116/2024, dated 19-02-2024, encapsulates a significant legal principle: the balance between parliamentary privileges and the constitutional rights of individuals. This decision, staying proceedings of the Lok Sabha privilege committee against West Bengal officials, underlines the judiciary's role in safeguarding constitutional rights against potential overreach by parliamentary powers.

The petition by West Bengal officials, including the Chief Secretary and DGP/IGP, challenges Office Memoranda dated 15 February 2024, which demanded their presence before the Committee of Privileges. This legal battle is rooted in allegations of mistreatment by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar against Bengal police. The central issue hinges on the extent to which parliamentary privileges can impinge upon the fundamental rights of state officials, especially in non-parliamentary contexts.

The bench, headed by the Chief Justice, took cognizance of the sensitive balance between legislative privileges and constitutional safeguards. Represented by Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the petitioners argued against the applicability of parliamentary privileges in scenarios beyond the parliament's functions. The Court's interim order reflects a profound judicial scrutiny over the potential conflict between parliamentary authority and individual rights, emphasizing the need for constitutional harmony.

The Supreme Court's decision to stay further proceedings, as per the Office Memoranda, marks a critical intervention in preserving constitutional rights against possible legislative overreach. The stay, effective until the case's next listing on 22 March 2024, temporarily halts the Lok Sabha committee's actions, ensuring a deeper judicial examination of the involved privileges and rights.

Next Date 22 March 2024

BHAGWATI PRASAD GOPALIKA & ORS. versus LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT (PRIVILEGES AND ETHICS BRANCH) & ORS."

 

Latest Legal News

  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 9:17 AM
Resignation Bars Pension, But Not Gratuity: Supreme Court Draws Sharp Line Between Voluntary Retirement and Resignation in DTC Employee Case
  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 8:53 AM
Casteist Abuses Must Be In Public View: Supreme Court Quashes SC/ST Act Proceedings Where Alleged Insults Occurred Inside Complainant’s House
  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 8:10 AM
Correction In Revenue Map Under Section 30 Isn’t A Tool To Shift Plot Location After 17 Years: Supreme Court Quashes High Court’s Remand
  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 7:58 AM
Omission of Accused’s Name by Eyewitness in FIR is a Fatal Lacuna: Supreme Court Acquits Man Convicted of Murder
  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 7:57 AM
Consolidation Authorities Cannot Confer Ownership Or Alter Scheme Post Confirmation Without Due Process: Punjab & Haryana High Court Reaffirms Civil Court’s Jurisdiction Over Void Post-Scheme Orders
  • by Admin
    10 December 2025 7:12 AM
PIL Cannot Be a Tool for Personal Grievances: Supreme Court Upholds Municipal Body’s Power to Revise Property Tax After 16 Years