The Maharashtra assembly granted a two-month extension to the privilege committee to decide whether Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut are guilty of privilege violation. If convicted, both can face punishment, ranging from a warning to imprisonment. The panel will also ask them to express their side before making any decisions.
Ranaut is accused of “defaming Mumbai” after she compared Mumbai to Pakistani-occupied Kashmir and stated that she feared living in the city. A similar motion was filed against Goswami for his alleged disparaging remarks against Chief Minister of State Uddhav Thackeray.
On the second day of the current session of the state legislature on Tuesday, Shiv Sena lawmaker Deepak Kesarkar, who heads the Assembly’s privilege committee, sought time until the last day of the budget session, which will likely begin in the second week of February. The request was approved by the lower house.
Also Read: Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik Moves Violation of Privilege Motion Over Kangana Ranaut’s Tweet
However, many BJP leaders opposed the motion, saying that Goswami and Ranaut did not fit the rules promulgated for breach of the motion of privilege. Spokeswoman Nana Patole, however, considered that the matter regarding the insult of the state prime minister should be taken seriously. The extension proposal was approved in the assembly by voice vote.
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