Supreme Court Halts Lok Sabha Privileges Committee Proceedings Amid Allegations Against West Bengal Officials

In a significant development, the Supreme Court intervened to stay further proceedings before a Lok Sabha Privileges Committee, which had summoned the West Bengal Chief Secretary and other officers on a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar. The complaint alleged misconduct and brutality resulting in life-threatening injuries to the MP during clashes between party workers and police personnel.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi, representing the officials, argued against the jurisdiction of the Privileges Committee to summon them, asserting that the MP’s injuries occurred during political activity unrelated to his duties as a parliamentarian. They emphasized that parliamentary privilege does not extend to political activities outside the House.

The court’s stay order provided relief to the officials, who were scheduled to appear before the committee. Despite opposition from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the court upheld the stay and listed the case for further hearing after four weeks, signaling a crucial legal intervention in the ongoing political controversy.