K’taka: 2 tabloid editors get 1-yr jail

Bengaluru, June 22: The Karnataka Assembly has sentenced editors of two Kannada tabloids, including noted scribe Ravi Belagere, to one year in jail for breach of privilege over their alleged defamatory articles against state legislators. A resolution to punish the two journalists—Mr Belagere, editor of Hi Bangalore, and Anil Raju, editor of Yelahanka Voice — in connection with the publication of some articles was adopted by the Assembly by a voice vote on Wednesday. Apart from the jail term, the Speaker also imposed a fine of `10,000 on each of them. “The State Assembly has decided to punish the two journalists of Kannada tabloids for (allegedly) publishing defamatory articles against legislators,” Koliwad announced on the floor of the House here. “I approve the recommendation of the privilege committee, which had recommended

The Karnataka Assembly sentenced the journalists to one year in jail for breach of privilege over their alleged defamatory articles against state legislators

a year’s imprisonment and a fine of `10,000 on “Hi Bangalore” and “Yelahanka Voice” editors,” he said. If the journalists fail to pay the fine, the jail term would be extended to another six months, the Speaker said.

The Assembly secretariat said that it will ask the police to act on the House resolution sentencing the two journalists to jail. The Privileges Committee of the Assembly had recommended jail for Mr Belagere and Mr Raju for allegedly publishing articles against legislators, including Mr Koliwad.