Bhatnagar: Proceedings are not adversarial
THE proceedings in the Parliamentary Privileges Committee are not adversarial even though it exercises the same powers as the High Court, deputy speaker Veena Bhatnagar told the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
Mrs Bhatnagar, who was also the committee chairwoman, made the statement during their deliberations on a matter of privilege against Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua.
It is alleged on August 9, Mr Bainimarama manhandled Mr Tikoduadua outside Parliament. Before that, Mr Bainimarama claimed he was personally attacked by Mr Tikoduadua inside Parliament.
Mrs Bhatnagar said whether evidence against the two MPs were given under oath or affirmation, the committee proceedings were deliberative.
“So in either case actually sworn or not, although we exercise the same powers as the High Court, committee proceedings are not adversarial but deliberative,” she said.
“So, I will call upon the honourable members to take turns in asking questions until you are satisfied that sufficient evidence is before the committee.
“If you feel that the committee has exhausted all questions, you can move that we move on to the next item as with all deliberations.
“Once moved and the question is put, we will take a vote and that will become a resolution of the committee. With that in mind, I will call upon the secretariat to get the holy book because honourable Pio Tikoduadua has proposed to give sworn evidence.”