Date:08/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/08/stories/2003110809261100.htm

National

Text of the T.N. Assembly Resolution

The House gives assent to the following recommendation II given by the House Privilege Committee under Rule 229 (4) of the Assembly Rules:

Whereas, the Editorial published in The Hindu dated 25-4-2003 was written in a manner causing breach of privilege of the action of the Assembly Speaker who is the custodian of the Assembly, as well as the action of the Privileges Committee and in the primary process imputing ulterior motives to the House as a whole.

Further, a part of the said editorial which justified the news items and articles written by Radha Venkatesan and Mr. V. Jayanth, that cast a slur on the Chief Minister's action in the Assembly, had further breached the privilege of the House.

As these newspaper publications are a gross act of contempt of the House as a whole and a gross act of breach of privilege of the House as a whole, the Editor of The Hindu, its Executive Editor, its Publisher, Article Writer V Jayanth and Special Correspondent Radha Venkatesan have committed a punishable offence of breach of Privilege of the House.

Hence the following punishment can be given

Fifteen Days simple imprisonment for The Editor of The Hindu;

Fifteen Days simple imprisonment for the Executive Editor of The Hindu;

Fifteen Days simple imprisonment for the Printer and Publisher of The Hindu;

Fifteen days simple imprisonment for Special Correspondent of The Hindu, Radha Venkatesan;

Fifteen days simple imprisonment for Article Writer of The Hindu, V. Jayanth.

The permission given for covering the Assembly Proceedings to the reporters of The Hindu is withdrawn for 15 days.