Drop proceedings against Vijender Gupta: Privileges Committee

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) The Privileges Committee of Delhi Assembly has recommended dropping of the breach of privilege and contempt proceedings against Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, according to a report tabled in the House on Wednesday.

Contempt proceedings were initiated against Gupta in connection with his article allegedly favouring 'abolition' of the Rajya Sabha.

Acting on a complaint by Janata Dal (United) MP K.C. Tyagi, the Rajya Sabha Chairman had directed the Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel to take appropriate action in the matter.

Goel had then forwarded Gupta's matter to the Privileges Committee headed by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti.

Gupta later submitted an unconditional apology for his article, which was accepted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

While recommending dropping of the proceedings against the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, the Privileges Committee noted the article penned by Gupta was a 'serious assault' on the prestigious and highest legislative body of India.

"Coming from a seasoned politician, who is bestowed with the position of Leader of Opposition by the Speaker, the Committee is dismayed at his lack of understanding of the functioning of the democratically-elected legislatures and their privileges.

"Nevertheless, in view of the unqualified apology tendered by him, the committee recommends that the breach of privilege and contempt proceedings initiated against him be dropped with the hope that in future, he will be mindful of the position he is holding and the dignity of the House that he is representing," the report said.

The report was tabled by Chairman of the nine-member Privileges Committee Somnath Bharti.