7 months ago
Parliamentary Panel Discusses Leader of Opposition Post
A parliamentary committee in India is discussing whether the Leader of Opposition post is covered under a proposed law that could remove the prime minister and chief ministers if they fail to get bail within a month of arrest in serious criminal matters.
The committee, chaired by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, heard from experts like Law Commission Chairman Dinesh Maheshwari.
Some opposition members wanted other political leaders to share their views, but not everyone agreed.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is looking into a case where a judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, is challenging the legality of a committee set up to investigate him.
The court said it doesn't agree with his argument that the Lok Sabha Speaker couldn't have set up the committee.
The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Parliamentary committee discusses if the Leader of Opposition post is covered under a proposed law for the removal of PM and CMs.
Committee members sought clarification on whether the Leader of Opposition could be removed if arrested on serious criminal charges.
Opposition members wanted other political leaders to express their views on the draft laws, but some committee members disagreed.
Supreme Court disagrees with Justice Yashwant Varma's contention that the Lok Sabha Speaker could not have constituted the committee to investigate him.
The court will examine if the question is prejudicial to Justice Varma's interests and set the next hearing for Thursday.
- Who
- Parliamentary committee members, Law Commission Chairman Dinesh Maheshwari, Vice Chancellors G S Bajpai and Sri Krishna Deva Rao, Justice Yashwant Varma
- What
- Discussion on the Leader of Opposition post and the removal of PM, CMs, Supreme Court hearing on Justice Varma's petition
- Where
- New Delhi, Supreme Court of India
- When
- January 7, 2024
- Why
- To examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, and The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, and to challenge the legality of the Parliamentary Committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
Key facts
- Committee Chair
- BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi
- Law Commission Chairman
- Dinesh Maheshwari
- Opposition Members in Committee
- Supriya Sule, Asaduddin Owaisi, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, S Niranjan Reddy
- Parties Refusing Committee Participation
- Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, Shiv Sena-UBT, AAP
- Justice Varma's Argument
- Lok Sabha Speaker could not have constituted the committee
- Supreme Court's Stance
- Prima facie disagreement with Justice Varma's contention
- Next Hearing Date
- Thursday
Quotes
Aparajita Sarangi
Chairperson of the Joint Committee and BJP MP
“experts who appeared before the committee on Wednesday have been asked to submit their views in writing for further examination.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Panel Asks if LoP Covered Under Bail-Based Removal Law
Is Leader of Opposition post covered in proposed law on removal of PM, CMs: Parliamentary panel
‘Have to balance rights’: SC reserves judgment on Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea challenging Lok Sabha inquiry committee’s formation
Prima facie not in agreement that LS Speaker couldn’t have set up inquiry committee: SC to Justice Yashwant Varma
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