Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh, who had alleged that he was being deliberately denied the opportunity to speak during proceedings in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

The matter was heard by the single bench of Justice Krishna Rao. After hearing submissions from both sides, the court held that the petition was not maintainable and declined to intervene in the functioning of the legislature.

In his petition, Ghosh alleged that he was being systematically prevented from participating in important Assembly debates and argued that the denial of speaking time amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.

Before approaching the High Court, Ghosh had accused the Assembly authorities of deliberately targeting him. He claimed that whenever he raised objections, he was removed from the House by marshals and was also subjected to privilege proceedings. Seeking judicial intervention, he contended that his rights as an elected representative were being curtailed.

The issue comes in the backdrop of Ghosh's recent one-day suspension from the Assembly over allegations that he obstructed the Leader of the Opposition's Chief Whip, Akhruzzaman, from speaking during the proceedings.

Refusing to interfere in the internal functioning of the Assembly, the High Court observed that any grievance relating to the conduct of House proceedings should be addressed through the mechanisms available within the legislature itself, and not through judicial intervention.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh