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.
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.
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.