Tainted Katara barred from attending Lok Sabha

New Delhi, Apr 26: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today barred BJP MP Babu Bhai Katara from attending the sittings of the Lower house in view of his detention for alleged attempt to smuggle a woman and a teenager to Canada on the passport of his family on April 18.

"I request Mr Katara not to attend the sittings of the House till the matter has been deliberated upon by the leaders and a decision is taken," the Chair said during Question hour, amid shouting of "shame, shame" by the treasury benches.

Mr Katara, a two time MP, represents Dahod constituency in Gujarat.

Mr Chatterjee, who held an all-party meeting to discuss the issue yesterday, said he would hold another meeting with leaders of different political parties in the House in view of the gravity of the situation.

"The meeting will decide a course of action as to how such matters may be dealt with in future so that the prestige of this great institution is upheld," he said.

The Speaker said the all-party meeting yesterday decided unanimously that the House should not only express its concern but also condemn the commission of the alleged offence by the member of the august House.

"Accordingly, on behalf of the House and on my behalf, I strongly disapprove the conduct of the member and condemn the same." "I wish to state that the House is distressed and expresses its firm determination to take all necessary action, so that the dignity of the House is not tarnished," Mr Chatterjee said, pointing out that the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Indira Gandhi International Airport intimated his office immediately after the arrest of Mr Katara on April 18.

UNI

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