J&K Assembly panel seeks personal appearance of PDP legislator Waheed Para in breach of privilege case

Jammu, Apr 1: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s privileges committee has summoned a PDP legislator in a breach of privilege matter, noting that the explanation furnished by him was inadequate and warranted further clarification.

PDP’s Waheed ur Rehman Para, a first-time member of the Legislative Assembly, was served a show-cause notice by the office of the speaker in September last year for his social media post claiming the Assembly Secretariat endorsed the detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act.

The nine-member privileges committee headed by Congress MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat with members from National Conference and BJP tabled its report in the Assembly in the ongoing budget session.

“The Committee examined a reference concerning an alleged breach of privilege involving Para in respect of the Office of the Speaker. After examining the show-cause notice issued and the reply submitted by the Member, the Committee observes that the explanation furnished requires further clarification,” the report said.

It said the committee, therefore, resolved that the member be summoned to appear in person before the panel to explain his position, so that the matter may be examined objectively and in accordance with established parliamentary practice.

In November 2024, Para was also served a notice under breach of privilege after National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi accused him of using derogatory remarks against him during a speech in the House. (PTI)