Madras High Court Allows Breach of Privilege Proceedings

The Madras High Court has reinstated breach of privilege notices against Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and 18 other DMK MLAs for displaying banned gutkha sachets in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2017. A division bench ruled that such proceedings can continue even after the dissolution of an assembly, emphasizing that privileges cannot be disregarded due to political changes. The court rejected the argument that the proceedings lapsed with the assembly's dissolution, asserting that it is essential for the integrity of the legislative process. Additionally, the bench highlighted that the legislative assembly serves as a platform to voice public concerns, thus the dignity of the House must be maintained. The case, originally initiated when the DMK MLAs protested the availability of gutkha during the AIADMK regime, underscores the importance of adherence to assembly rules. This ruling signals a commitment to uphold parliamentary privileges and the need for accountability among legislators.