Law School BHU - Memorial Respondent

In the Honorable High Court of Delhi

At New Delhi, India

Writ Petition No: ****/ 2010

_________________________________

In the Matter of

Mr. Manohar………………...……………..... Petitioner

Versus

Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha & Ors…......... Respondent

Respectfully Submitted in the Hon’ble High Court

- Memorial on Behalf of the Respondent-

PROF. R.U. SINGH MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INDEX OF AUTHORITIES..............................................................2- 4

a) Acts/ Statutes........................................................................................... 2

b) Books....................................................................................................... 2

c) Internet Sources........................................................................................ 2

d) List of Cases............................................................................................. 3

2. STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION.................................................... 5

3. SYNOPSIS OF FACTS.......................................................................... 6

4. ISSUES RAISED..................................................................................... 7

5. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS............................................................ 8

6. BODY OF ARGUMENTS...............................................................09- 17

a) The Present court has no jurisdiction in this matter...................................................09

b) This House of the Parliament has the power of expulsion......................................... 11

c) The act of Petitioner amounts to breach of privilege and contempt of House........... 14

d) The expulsion of the petitioner is Constitutional....................................................... 16

7. Prayer ..................................................................................................... 18

PROF. R.U.SINGH MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2010 - Memorial On Behalf Of Respondent -

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

ACTS/STATUTES:

CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, 1950

RULES OF PROCEDURE and CONDUCT OF BUSINESS in LOK SABHA

BOOK:

JAIN M.P., INDIAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, GURGAON, LEXIS NEXIS

BUTTERWORTHS WADHWA NAGPUR, 2010, SIXTH EDITION

MASSEY I.P., ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, LUCKNOW, EASTERN BOOK

COMPANY, 2008, SEVENTH EDITION

SHUKLA V.N., CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, LUCKNOW, EASTERN BOOK

CORPORATION, 2008, ELEVENTH EDITION.

KASHYAP SUBHASH, OUR PARLIAMENT, NEW DELHI, NATIONAL BOOK

TRUST, REPRINT 2004 EDITION.

INTERNET SITES:

www.judis.nic.in

www.loksabha.nic.in

www.manupatra.com

www.indlaw.com


http://www.indlaw.com/

http://www.manupatra.com/

http://www.loksabha.nic.in/

http://www.judis.nic.in/

LISTS OF CASES

1. Barton v. Taylor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

(1886)11.App.cases197

2. Bradlaugh v. Gosset---------------------------------------------------------------------------09

1884 12 QBD 271

3. K.Anbashagan v. Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly------------------------------------12

A.I.R 1988 Mad 275

4. Keshwanand Bharti V. State of Kerala----------------------------------------------------10

A.I.R 1973 SC 1461

5. MSM Sharma v. Shri Krishna Sinha-------------------------------------------------------09

(1961) 1 SCR 96

6. MSM Sharma v. Shri Krishna Sinha----------------------------------------------------16, 17

A.I.R 1960 SC 1186

7. Raja Ram Pal v. Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha and Ors------------------------------12 , 17

(2007) 3 SCC 184

8. Raj Narain v. Atmaram Govinda------------------------------------------------------------ 10

A.I.R 1954 All 319

9. Richard William Prebble v. Television New Zealand-------------------------------------09


1994 (S) WLR 970

10. In Re UP Assembly Case, Special Ref.No.1of 1964---------------------------------------10

(1965) 1 SCR 413

11.Yeswant Rao v. M.P.Legislative Assembly----------------------------------12

A.I.R 1967 MP 95


STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

The Petitioner in the present case has approached the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi under

Article 226 of the Indian constitution

The Respondent respectfully submits to this jurisdiction invoked by the Petitioner.

All of which is urged in detail in the written submission and is submitted most respectfully

before this Court


STATEMENT OF FACTS

i

Mr. Manohar further referred to as Petitioner was elected as the member of the 14th Lok

Sabha from the Sunder Nagar Parliamentary Constituency after defeating Mr. Ramu. Before

this petitioner was Chairperson of Sunder Nagar Municipal Corporation. Mr. Ramu, lodged a

complaint that as Chairperson of the municipal corporation, petitioner has amassed assets

disproportionate to his known sources of Income. He complaint about this to the Hon’ble

Speaker of the Lok Sabha & also reported this to conduct an investigation against Petitioner.

ii

Then Mr. Bahadur, a voter of petitioner’s constituency also complained to the speaker that

the Petitioner had taken large sum of money for raising certain questions in the house.

Mr. Samu, the third person also alleged that petitioner has taken money for voting against

confidence motion. Hon’ble Speaker referred all these complaints to the Privilege committee

of the house for investigation. Committee found Petitioner guilty of all the three counts and

after due research into the matter recommended for his expulsion from the house. After such

recommendation Hon’ble Speaker issued notice to the petitioner, and call him to hears for his

defence, and then taken a decision to expel him from the house.

iii

Feeling aggrieved by such decision, Petitioner had filled this petition in the Hon’ble Delhi

High Court, claiming his expulsion as unconstitutional.


ISSUES RAISED

I) WHETHER THE COURTS HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INTERFERE IN THE EXERCISE OF POWER OR PRIVILEGE CONFERRED ON THE PARLIAMENT?

II) WHETHER THE HOUSE OF THE PARLIAMENT HAS THE POWER OF EXPULSION OR NOT?

III) WHETHER THE ACT OF THE PETITIONER AMOUNTS TO BREACH OF PRIVILEGE OR CONTEMPT OF HOUSE OR NOT?

IV) WHETHER THE EXPULSION OF THE PETITIONER IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT?


SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

I) The Present court has no jurisdiction in this matter :

It is humbly submitted that the present court has no power to review the act of the

house in question as the expulsion of the member is a part of Parliamentary

Privileges. Doing so will be violation of constitutional provisions.

II) This House of the Parliament has the power of expulsion :

Indian Parliament is the epitome of democracy in India. With a view to protect

and upgrade it dignity and prestige, the parliament can punish for its contempt,

which indeed includes the power of expulsion as well.

III) The act of Petitioner amounts to breach of privilege and contempt of

House;

It is submitted that it is the duty of the members of the parliament to present the

view of people before the house. If the same is done by taking bribe it indeed

amounts to breach of privileges.

IV) The expulsion of the petitioner is Constitutional:

It is humbly submitted that the act of the house of the parliament in question is

fully constitutional and there is no merit which dilutes the same.


BODY OF ARGUMENTS

I) WHETHER THE COURTS HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INTERFERE

IN THE EXERCISE OF POWER OR PRIVILEGE CONFERRED ON THE

PARLIAMENT?

This Court has no Jurisdiction to interfere in the exercise of Power or Privilege

conferred on the Parliament

This Court has no Jurisdiction to interfere in the exercise of power or privileges conferred on

the parliament. In the case of Breadlaugh V. Gosset 1 , court observed that what is said or

done within the walls of parliament can’t be inquired into by any court. Similar view was

given in Richard William Prebble V. Television New Zealand Ltd 2.

Further in the case of M.S.M Sharma V. Shri Krishna Sihna3 Hon’ble court said ,

“ Validity of the proceedings inside the legislature of the state can’t be call in question on the

allegation that the proceedings laid down by the law has not been strictly followed. No court

can go into such questions which are within the special jurisdiction of the legislature”.

1 1884 (12) QBD 2712 1994 (S) WLR 9703 (1961) 1 SCR 96


In U.P. Assembly case4, Hon’ble court said, “The question about the existence and extent of

the power privileges and immunities of the house as well as the question about the exercise of

the powers and privileges were entirely and exclusively within the jurisdiction of the house.

In Raj Narain V. Atmaram Govind & Others5, court said that the house is the soul

judge of its own privileges. Further it is contended that as per Article 122 (1) of the

constitution, the validity of the proceedings in the parliament shall not be called in question

on the ground of alleged irregularity of the procedure.

If the court raised doubt, with regard to the report of the privilege committee, or

proceed further to investigate on to its credentials, it will be the violation of separation of

power which is a part of basic structure of Indian Constitution held by the Hon’ble Supreme

Court in Kesavanand Bharti V State of Kerala 6

So it is humbly submitted that the present court have no jurisdiction to interfere

in the matter in the exercise of the power and privilege conferred on to the parliament.

4 In Re U. P. Assembly Special Ref. No: 1 of 1964; (1965) 1 SCR 413 5 A.I.R 1954 All. 3196 A.I. R 1973 SC 1461


II) WHETHER THE HOUSE OF THE PARLIAMENT HAS THE POWER OF

EXPULSION OR NOT?

The House of the Parliament has the power to expulsion of its member.

The Parliament is the epitome of democracy in India. It is one of the foremost

duty of citizen of India as well as the member of the parliament to protect and upgrade its

dignity and Prestige. Hence with a view to protect and maintained the dignity and Prestige of

the member, committee and both the houses of the parliament, certain privileges has been

conferred under Article 105 of the Indian Constitution to the Union Legislature and Article

194 of the State Legislature. This Privilege indeed includes the power to punish for its

contempt.

In the exercise of its power and privileges and for protection of its dignity, the

house has power to expel its member if he commits breach of privileges or contempt of

house. As under Article 105(3) the Indian legislature has inherited all the powers and

privileges which were posses by the house of COMMON at the commencement of the Indian

constitution. Hence they inherited the power to expel the member also. This view can be

supported by following points.

i) The Parliamentary History of UK and India

ii) The Decision of Various Points including the apex Court of India.

i) The Parliamentary History of UK and India

The History of the House of Commons clearly shows that the Power of expulsion was

exercised by them. Right from Year 1667, On 22nd November, 1967 Mr. John

Ashbumham who represented the Sussex Constituency was expelled from the house for


accepting the bribe of £500. Since then more than 50 members have been expelled by the

house of common. In 1947 Mr. Garry Alligham and Mr. Peter Arthur David Baker in

1954 were expelled from the house. Hence facts clearly establish that the power of

expulsion was exercised by the House of COMMON.

In Indian Parliamentary history various occasions has arise when the

parliament has expelled its members. The first case which came up for consideration

before parliament was of Mr.H.G.Mudgal. Mr. Mudgal was expelled from the house.

Likewise this power of expulsion was also exercised by Rajya Sabha against Mr.

Subramanyam Swami and by Lok Sabha against Smt. Indira Gandhi.

ii) The Decision of various courts including the Apex Court of India.

Very Recently in Year 2005, Lok Sabha expelled its ten members and Rajya Sabha

expelled its one member for breach of privileges. When this expulsion was challenged in

the court, the Supreme Court clearly held that the house has inherent power to expel its

members for its contempt and breach of privileges. The Court in this case said, “ We are

unable to find any reason, as to why legislature established in India by the constitution,

include the parliament under article 105(3) should be denied the claim to the power of

expulsion arising out of remedial power of contempt”7.

7 Raja Ram pal V. Union of India & others (2007) SCC 184 Para 179


The Madras high court also held that the power of expulsion is available to the house as a

method of disciplining members. 8

Similar view was held by Madhya Pradesh high Court, that the House in fact has the

Power of Expulsion9

Also in Barton V. Taylor10, the court found that the assembly would have power to expel,

considering expulsion a non punitive power.

Hence the above mentioned cases and facts make it crystal clear that the house of

parliament has the power to expel its members for breach of privileges.

8 K. Anbashagam V. Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. A.I.R 1988 Mad 2759 Yeshwant Rao V. M.P.Legislative Assembly A.I.R 1967 MP 9510 (1886) 11 APP Cases 197


III) WHETHER THE ACT OF THE PETITIONER AMOUNTS TO BREACH

OF PRIVILEGE OR CONTEMPT OF HOUSE OR NOT?

The Act of the Petitioner amounts to breach of Privilege or Contempt of

House.

The contempt of House may be generally stated as “Any act or omission which constructs

or impedes either house of the parliament, in the performance of its functions or if

obstructs or impedes any members or any officers of such house in discharges of its

duties or which has a tendency directly or indirectly to produce such results may be

treated as contempt even though there is no precedent of the offence.

As per the view of Shri.Subash Kashyap,“ Conduct of a member involving

corruption in the execution of his office as a member is treated by the house as a breach

of privilege. Thus acceptance of any fees, compensation or reward in connection with the

promotion or opposition to any bill, resolution or matter submitted or proposed to be

submitted to the house or any committee thereof, is a breach of privileges” 11

In parliamentary history of UK, various members were held guilty or

contempt of house for taking bribe and involvement in corruption, like John Ashburnhan

(In 1667); Sir John Trevor (who was a speaker of house of commons in 1695) and Mr.

John Hunger ford (In 1695). All of them were expelled by the house.

11 Kashyap Subhash’s “ Our Parliament” Pg: 238, Para: 8


In India also, in the year 2005 various members of Lok Sabha were held

guilty of breach of privileges and were expelled as they were found guilty of taking large

sum of money for raising certain questions in the house.

In the present case the petitioner, was found guilty of taking large sum of

money for raising questions in the house and for voting against confidence motion.

Hence, he is guilty of breach of privilege and contempt of house.


IV) WHETHER THE EXPULSION OF THE PETITIONER IS

CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT?

The Expulsion of the Petitioner is constitutional.

The Expulsion of the member is not Inconsistent with the Constitutional provisions. It does

not violates any provisions of the constitution and also none of the fundamental rights of the

petitioner has been violates.

The expulsion would have been unconstitutional if the house without enquiring

into the matter and without hearing the member had taken the decision of expulsion of the

member. But since the house referred the matter to the privilege committee and has given due

notice to the member and heard him also. The House after hearing the member and as per the

recommendation of the committee has expelled the member, and as per argued earlier, this

power of expulsion is given by the constitutional of the house. So this act is not

unconstitutional and there is no any breach of fundamental rights of the petitioner.

Also, the findings of the privileges committee cannot be questioned on the

point that it acted with partiality and with ill motive. As Hon’ble Supreme Court has observed

that, the committee of Privileges ordinarily includes members of all parties, represented in

the house and it is difficult to expect that the committee as a body will be actuated by any

malafide intension against the petitioner. Further the business of the committee is only to

make a report of the house and the ultimate decision will be that of house itself. In these

circumstances, the allegations of bad faith cannot be readily accepted”12

12 M.S.M Sharma V. Shri Krishna Sinha (Search light 1 case) A.I.R 1960 SC 1186


Further, the contentions of the petitioner that his fundamental rights is been

violated does not make any difference. As in Searchlight 1 case13 Hon’ble Supreme Court

held that the Parliamentary privileges prevail over fundamental rights. It is said that if

petitioner is deprived of its personal liberty as a result of the proceedings before the

committee of the privileges, such deprivations would be in accordance with the procedures

established by Law and therefore a complaint of breach of Fundamental rights cannot be

made.

Similarly, in Raja Ram Pal Case14, where the facts were quite similar to this

present case, the petitioner made contentions of breach of fundamental rights under Article 21

and Article 19 (1)(g). The Hon’ble Supreme court rejected it. Supreme Court said, “We are

not impressed with any of this contentions of the petitioners. Even if it were to be assumed

this right apply, we do not believe that they could prevent reading the power of expulsion

within Article 105(3).................. Thus, we find that Article 19(1)(g) cannot prevent the

reading of power of expulsion under Article 105(3)............ A Blanket Ban on the power of

expulsion based on Article 21 cannot be read in the constitutional provisions. It cannot negate

the power of expulsion............ We hold thus, that the power of expulsion does not come into

conflict with any of the constitutional provisions and thus cannot be negated in this basis.”

Hence in the above finding of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, this expulsion of the petitioner is

constitutional.

13 M.S.M Sharma V. Shri Krishna Sinha (Search light 1 case) A.I.R 1960 SC 118614 (2007) 3 SCC 184


Prayer

Wherefore, in the light of the facts stated, arguments advanced and authorities cited,

the respondent, most humbly prays before the Hon’ble court, to be graciously pleased to

hold adjudge and declare that:

1) The Petition be dismissed; and

2) The decision of the House be Upheld; or

3) To pass any other order which the Hon’ble court may deem fit in the light of

Justice, Equity and Good Conscience.

All of Which is most humbly prayed and most respectfully submitted by the Respondent.

Date: S/d_________________

(Counsel for Respondent)


Documents

Law School BHU - Memorial Respondent