Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Committee on Privileges in the meeting hall of the J&K Legislative Assembly Secretariat in Srinagar. The committee met to examine a Breach of Privilege notice submitted by Chadoora MLA Ali Mohammad Dar against the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Chadoora, in accordance with the procedures governing the privileges of the House.
The meeting was attended by legislators Showkat Hussain Ganie, Khurshied Ahmad, Zafar Ali Khatana and Vijay Kumar.
Reiterating the significance of the parliamentary privileges and immunities available to members of the Legislative Assembly, Masoodi said that a breach of privilege of a member is tantamount to a breach of the privilege of the House itself and carries serious implications. He stressed that privileges are not personal perks but constitutional safeguards meant to ensure that elected members can discharge their duties without fear or obstruction. Any disrespect or non-cooperation by officers, he said, undermines the authority of the Legislature.
Privilege proceedings of this kind are a long-standing feature of legislative practice in India. They exist to protect the independence of elected representatives and the dignity of the House, and committees are empowered to examine complaints that allege obstruction, disrespect or interference with a member’s functioning. When a notice is received against a public official, the committee follows a defined procedure that typically involves examining the matter, seeking the version of the officer concerned and arriving at its conclusions in accordance with the rules. The meeting in Srinagar was convened within that framework.
The chairman’s remarks carried a clear message about the relationship between the executive and the Legislature. By describing cooperation with elected members as an obligation of officers, he underlined that the machinery of administration is expected to respect the constitutional role of legislators, who represent the public and answer to it. The emphasis on privileges as safeguards rather than perks also sought to address a common public perception that such provisions benefit lawmakers personally.
In a separate decision, the committee considered a communication dated October 19, 2026, received from MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para, who sought an adjournment of his appearance before it because he is required to appear before a court in Jammu. The committee found the reason genuine and allowed his plea. It decided that a fresh date for his appearance would be notified separately.
The decision reflects the committee’s approach of balancing the demands of its own proceedings with the legal commitments of members. With the notice against the Chadoora Sub Divisional Magistrate under examination and a further appearance yet to be scheduled, the proceedings are expected to continue in the days ahead.
