MLC Sravan Kumar demands public access to Telangana MLA disqualification proceedings
MLC Sravan slams Telangana Assembly for restricting public access to MLA disqualification hearings
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: MLC Sravan slams Telangana Assembly for restricting public access to MLA disqualification hearings
Hyderabad: Telangana Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Dr Sravan Kumar Dasoju has objected to the Telangana Legislative Assembly’s decision to restrict public access to the tribunal proceedings concerning the disqualification of MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
In an urgent appeal on Thursday, addressed to the Assembly Speaker, Dr Sravan condemned Assembly Bulletin No 22, issued on Wednesday, which prohibits voters, citizens, advocates, public representatives and media personnel from observing the hearings. He characterised the bulletin as ‘unconstitutional,’ ‘dictatorial’, and a violation of the constitutional rights and spirit of democracy.
Assault on transparency and public trust
Dr Sravan, who is both an MLC and a voter to one of the defected MLAs, expressed ‘deep despair and concern’ over the secrecy, describing it as an attempt to shield defected MLAs from public scrutiny.
He asserted that such ‘deliberate concealment of truth’ is a mockery of democracy and a betrayal of the people’s mandate, likening the ‘uncalled-for secrecy’ to the adage, ‘a cat drinking milk with its eyes closed, thinking no one is watching!’
He questioned the justification for holding the tribunal proceedings in complete secrecy when the proceedings of the High Court, the Supreme Court of India’s Constitution Bench, and all other Tribunals (including NCLT) are live-streamed and open to citizens.
He emphasised that the tribunal is a constitutional instrument meant to deliver justice in public, not in private chambers, and that citizens have a direct, legitimate democratic right to know how their representatives are being tried.
Key demands in the appeal
Dr Sravan Kumar Dasoju has urged the Speaker to take the following actions:
Withdraw the bulletin: Immediately withdraw the ‘unconstitutional and dictatorial bulletin’ and allow open access to the proceedings for sitting MLAs and accredited media members.
Livestreaming: Permit the livestreaming and official recording of the tribunal proceedings, similar to the practice of the Supreme Court, to ensure public faith and transparency.
Publication of records: Publish all orders, reasons and minutes of the proceedings on the official Legislative Assembly website.
Media coverage: Allow the media to cover the entire proceedings in the interest of transparency, democracy and constitutional morality.
