Contemptuous Content: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Imposes 1 Year Jail Term, Rs 10K Fine against Two Editors

Bengaluru: Karnataka legislative assembly speaker KB Koliwad imposed Rs 10,000 fine and one year jail term for the editors of two Bengaluru based publications, ‘Hai Bangalore’ and ‘Yelahanka Voice.’ The editors, Ravi Belagere and publisher of Yelahanka Voice, Anil Raj punished by the assembly speaker KB Koliwad following complaints from the assembly members for publishing derogatory content against them.  

The privileges committee of the house which investigated the case based on the complaints filed by Shiraguppa MLA, Nagaraj on derogatory remarks published on Hai Bengaluru by Ravi Belagere against him found guilty. Also, another complaint registered by Yelahanka MLA, S R Vishwanath against Yelahanka Voice for publishing series of defamatory reports against him was also found guilty by the committee.

The privileges committee headed by Kimmane Ratnakar recommended a year of imprisonment and fine to the tune of Rs 10,000 and MLA Vishwantah requested the assembly to accept the recommendations. All the members of the house unanimously accept the recommendation to impose the punishment against the duo for publishing contemptuous remarks in their respective publications despite warning from the elected representatives.