Speaker rules home minister was not bound to appear in court

Panaji, Aug 28 (UNI) Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pratapsingh Rane today ruled that state Home minister Ravi S Naik was not bound to appear in any court of law or receive any notice in respect of whatever he spoke in the House.

Replying to a suo moto statement made by Mr Naik on his reportedly describing Biharis as beggars that generated a controversy, the speaker said no court or any House can call him on anything he said as he was protected under the privilege, under article 194 read with 212 of the constitution.

The article ensures fredom of speech of the member in the House and that the home minister was not bound to accept any notice of any court on any matter related to whatever he said in the House.

Rane also directed the advocate general of Goa to collect all information pertaining to the news reports about somebody filing a case against the home minister in a Patna court and bring it to his notice.

The speaker had also directed the AG to explain to the court the constitutional position in the matter, if necessary.

The home minister was referring to the controversy following his reported comment describing Biharis as beggers while replying to a question on beggars' menace in Goa in the House on August 19.

He had promptly denied having uttered the words on the basis of the House records.

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