Assembly reprimands advocate for breach of privilage

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh assembly on Tuesday reprimanded advocate Siddharth Gupta for breaching the privileges of the house. Speaker Sitasharan Sharma summoned Gupta and admonished him for breach of privilege during the opening of session. Gupta apologised in the house for issuing statement against the speaker and some officials.
Earlier, Gupta was brought to the house by marshals and was compelled to stand in the dock.He was reprimanded for issuing statement against speaker and some officials regarding appointments in the assembly. Speaker Sharma said that the house decided to reprimand Gupta last year. During this session the assembly would function as a high court. All the members were asked to keep calm and concerned about their privilege. The session lasted for five minutes after which Gupta was taken away by the marshals.
Later, Speaker Sharma said that Gupta had made baseless allegations which were later rejected by a local court. The house had sought clarification and evidences from Gupta. When he failed to submit the same, the house summoned him many a times to clarify and apologise for his action but to no avail.
"He used to come to the assembly often, but did not bother to appear before the house for submitting his apology. Finally it was decided that he will be reprimanded for breach of privileges in the house," he said.
Earlier, a similar reference came to light when in 1991, three police officers were reprimanded by the house. They were later suspended. In 1994 also two politicians were admonished for their behaviour.