Ex-MP behind Parl pepper attack escapes penalty

HYDERABAD: Former MPL Rajagopal escaped punishment for his 2014 Lok Sabha pepper attack during the debate on the bill for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, as the matter referred to the committee of privileges by the then Speaker Meira Kumar lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

“On 14 February, 2014, hon’ble speaker, Lok Sabha, under the powers conferred under Rule 227 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha had referred the matter relating to contempt of the House committed by L Rajagopal, MP, for spraying pepper and also by some other members for indulging in unruly acts/behaviour on 13 February, 2014, in the House to the committee of privileges for examination, investigation and report,” said the Lok Sabha secretariat in reply to an RTI query by Satyanarayana Vallabhaneni, a Vijayawada resident.

“Due to dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha on 18 May, 2014, all matters pending before the committee/ House lapsed. Consequently, this matter referred to the committee of privileges also stands lapsed,” it added. The Lok Sabha was dissolved just three months after the pepper spray incident was referred to the committee of privileges.

Rajagopal, who was representing Vijayawada, had caused sensation in Lok Sabha by spraying pepper when it was debating the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill to carve out a separate Telangana state.

L RAJAGOPAL HAD