Karnataka Speaker Sentenced Two Journos to 1 Year in Jail

The journalists allegedly published defamatory articles against state legislators, including the speaker.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Raddi Samaja Karnataka)

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Raddi Samaja Karnataka)

The Karnataka Assembly sentenced two editors of Kannada tabloids, including noted scribe Ravi Belagere, to one year in jail for breach of privilege over their alleged defamatory articles against state legislators.

A resolution to punish the two journalists – Belagere, who is the editor of ‘Hi Bangalore’, and Anil Raju, editor of ‘Yelahanka Voice’ – in connection with the publication of the articles was adopted by the Assembly by a voice vote on Wednesday.

Besides the jail term, the Speaker also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them.

The State Assembly has decided to punish the two journalists of Kannada tabloids for (allegedly) publishing defamatory articles against legislators... I approve the recommendation of the privilege committee which had recommended a year’s imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 on ‘Hi Bangalore’ and ‘Yelahanka Voice’ editors.

KB Koliwad, Karnataka Assembly Speaker

House Speaker Koliwad was also among the legislatures targeted by the publications.

If the journalists fail to pay the fine, the jail term would be extended to another six months, the Speaker said.

The Assembly secretariat said on Thursday that it will ask the police to act on the House resolution sentencing the two journalists to jail.

The article against Koliwad was published in the September 2014 issue of ‘Hi Bangalore’.

(The article has been edited for length.)

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