Par panel makes a pitch for discussing sub judice matters

A Parliamentary panel has made a strong pitch for discussing even sub judice matters in the House except cases of individual culpability and also favoured delaying real time live telecast of proceedings by few minutes to check telecast of any unparliamentary language.
The General Purposes Committee of Rajya Sabha headed by Chairman Hamid Ansari at its meeting deliberated on issues like discussing sub judice matters in the House, wearing of national flag in the form of lapel pin or badge in the House by members and rules relating to expunction of words from House proceedings in the light of their live telecast.

Speaking on the issue of sub judice matters, Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who is Leader of Rajya Sabha, stated that there "cannot be a blanket ban" on disucssing such matters.
Jaitley, who has in the last few days repeatedly flagged the issue of judicial over-reach, is learnt to have said at the panel meeting that there are issues, which are before the courts for years together and that does not prevent the Parliament from discussing them.
According to sources today, he emphasized that the issues, which are in public domain, though pending in the Courts, can be discussed but at the same time, the issues involving individual culpability may not be allowed to be discussed in the House as it may affect the ongoing trial of the individual.

One of the members, however, suggested that the considered opinion of the Ministry of Law and Justice may be obtained in this matter before coming to any conclusion.
Some members rued that while there is a self-imposed restriction on discussing the sub judice matters in the House, "the same are discussed at will by the electronic media", the sources said.
Sources said that most of the members were of the view that the Chair is the most appropriate authority to decide, which sub judice matter can be discussed in the House taking into account the individual culpability and where the larger public interest is involved.