ARUN SEHLOT Vs. M P VIDHAN SABHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard on admission.

(2.) This writ appeal is directed against the order dated 8-7-2010 passed by the learned single Judge of this Court whereby he has dismissed the Appellants' Writ Petition No. 12018/2010 filed under Article 226 of the Constitution.

(3.) Appellant No. 1 is the Editor-in-Chief of newspaper "Raj Express" and Appellant No. 2 is its Senior Resident Editor of Madhya Pradesh Zone. On 19-3-2010 the Appellants published a news item in the "Raj Express" naming some of the members of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly that they were wrongly drawing the travelling allowances contrary to the provisions of rules applicable to them. According to the Appellants, they had published the said news on the basis of documents obtained by them under the provisions of Right to Information Act, 2005 from the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly itself. Some of the members of Legislative Assembly felt offended with the news publication and made complaints against the Appellants alleging breach of privilege. On these complaints notices were issued to the Appellants in response to which, instead of filing a reply, they sought several documents. But by communication dated 8-7-2010 the Director of Legislative Assembly informed the Appellants that the complaints filed by the Members of Legislative Assembly against them have been forwarded to the Privilege Committee. Aggrieved, the Appellants rushed to this Court by filing Writ Petition No. 12018/2010 challenging the proceedings of Privilege Committee initiated against them which the learned single Judge has dismissed by the impugned order. It is in this background the Appellants have filed the present appeal.