Horatti writes to Home Minister, saying CID probe may lead to clash between legislature and executive

Taking exception to the government’s decision to institute a CID inquiry into the alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP MLC, C. T. Ravi, against Women and Child Development Minister, Laxmi Hebbalkar, in the Legislative Council during the Winter Session of the State legislature in Belagavi, House Chairman Basavaraj Horatti has said that it could lead to an unnecessary clash between the legislature and the executive.

Taking exception to the government’s decision to institute a CID inquiry into the alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP MLC, C. T. Ravi, against Women and Child Development Minister, Laxmi Hebbalkar, in the Legislative Council during the Winter Session of the State legislature in Belagavi, House Chairman Basavaraj Horatti has said that it could lead to an unnecessary clash between the legislature and the executive.

“I am not sure about the scope of the inquiry. The Council has the sovereign rights to decide on the issues to be discussed in the House. The Chair has already given the ruling on the issue based on the Constitution, Rules of Business of Karnataka Legislative Council, Rules of Business of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Practice and Procedure of Parliament by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdhar, and Parliamentary Procedures by Subhash Kashyap,” Mr. Horatti said in a letter to Home Minister G. Parameshwara.

Drawing the Home Minister’s attention to the rights of the Council Chairman in parliamentary practices, he said: “The Council has the powers to punish members for their bad behavior and abusive language. The Chairman’s ruling is final since the power to ensure discipline in the House and organise the business of the House is with the Chairman.”

Mr. Ravi has been accused of using derogatory words against Ms. Hebbalkar on December 19, 2024, the last day of the Winter Session. The incident triggered widespread condemnation, and he was arrested by the Belagavi police from the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises resulting in a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and the BJP.

Mr. Horatti felt that the move of the government to institute a CID probe that would come in the way of special powers given to the Chairman in the parliamentary practices would lead to an unnecessary tiff between the legislature and executive.

“You are also aware that what happens inside the House is the jurisdiction of the Chairman. Both legislature and executive have to function within the constitutional provisions and with mutual respect. You have also held various roles in constitutional institutions and I hope that you also function under the Constitution,” Mr. Horatti said.

Meanwhile, the Home Minister said that he had not received the letter though he had read about the letter in the media.