Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to witness a most inglorious moment in its long and glorious political history with the arrest of two journalists, recommended by the Legislature privileges committee, looking imminent.
Assembly Speaker K.B. Koliwad has already made it clear that he has no power to modify the Assembly's order sentencing the duo to a year in prison, which can be done only by a special session. The convening of such a session for this purpose is highly unlikely, said sources.
The only hope now for Hai Bangalore Editor Ravi Belagere and Yelahanka Voice Editor Anil Raj is the Karnataka high court, which is likely to hear their plea for anticipatory bail on Thursday.
With the Chief Minister's office announcing that an FIR has already been filed in the case, clearing the path for their arrest, there may be no turning back.
The Speaker's office and the government are making sure there is no letup in the case with Assembly Secretary S. Murthy meeting the additional chief secretary (home), deputy inspector general of police (prisons) and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner on Wednesday to discuss the efforts being made to arrest and send the two journalists to jail.
However, there's one fly in the Congress ointment - staring at polls in less than a year from now, the last thing the Congress wants is a hostile media and that was more than evident when AICC general secretary, K.C. Venugopal assured reporters that he would discuss the Assembly decision sending two journalists to jail, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress has always stood for the freedom of the press, said the man who has the ear of those on high!
