New Delhi, 30 September (H.S.):

Senior journalist Ajit Anjum has approached the Supreme Court, filing an intervention application in a case concerning the scope of legislative privileges available to lawmakers and their implications for freedom of expression.

A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter from October 6.

In his intervention application, Anjum has argued that legislative privileges and fundamental rights are not inherently in conflict with each other. He has sought clear standards to determine when fair and legitimate criticism of legislative proceedings can be treated as a breach of privilege.

The petition raises questions concerning the balance between the constitutional privileges of legislatures and the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and journalist Seema Chishti have also filed intervention applications before the Supreme Court, raising similar concerns in the case.

Their applications seek an interpretation of freedom of expression within the broader constitutional framework. They contend that the role of the legislature is to enact laws in accordance with the Constitution and not to impose restrictions on freedom of expression.

The proceedings before the seven-judge Constitution Bench are expected to examine the constitutional boundaries of legislative privilege and its relationship with fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar