Bengaluru: In a relief to convicted journalists Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj, the Karnataka High Court on Saturday directed them to appear before the Speaker and appeal for re-examining the resolution passed by the state Legislative Assembly, after the Additional Advocate General assured that the petitioners will not be arrested.
Mr. Belagare, the editor of Kannada tabloid ‘Hai Bangalore’, and Anil Raj, editor of ‘Yelahanka Voice’ tabloid, had moved the court challenging the resolution passed against them imposing imprisonment for one year. Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri disposed their petition after AAG A. S. Ponnanna gave an undertaking to the court that the petitioners will not be arrested if they appear before the speaker on Tuesday.
During the hearing the petition of on Saturday, the AAG submitted to the court that the Speaker, a respondent in the case, has assured that the resolution will be reconsidered if the petitioners appear before him and file a plea for re-examining the resolution.
At this juncture, Shankarappa V, the counsel for petitioners, informed the court that both the petitioners were ready to appear before the Speaker but were in apprehension of arrest when they appear before the Speaker.
At this juncture, the AAG gave an undertaking to the court that the petitioners will be not arrested if they appear before the Speaker. Accepting this, Mr. Shankarappa told the court that he will withdraw the petition. However, he requested the court to mention in the order that the journalists should not be arrested. But Justice Hinchigeri told him that the AAG was also part of the government and the petitioners can not be arrested overruling his word.
Before disposing the petition, the court directed the petitioners to appear before the Speaker on Monday and file a plea for reconsideration of the resolution passed against them.
Mr. Shankarappa told DC that both the editors will appear before the Speaker at his office at 3 pm on Monday.
