The sting operation by Aniruddha Bahal’s website Cobrapost on MPs taking money for raising questions in Parliament led to the suspension of MPs yesterday. However, an article in a vernacular newspaper on Question Hour had resulted in a reporter’s dismissal from his job in 1987.
Prakash Gupte, who is now 65 years old, was then a sub-editor-cum reporter for Navshakti. He wrote a column on the numbering of questions in the Assembly and on the system of questions being chosen through a system of lottery.
15 days in prison
Gupte’s column triggered a breach of privilege motion from the state Assembly. He was called before the Privilege Committee and was sentenced to 15 days imprisonment by the committee that found him guilty of breach of privileges of the legislature.
The journalist approached the high court, which gave a one-line order saying he should approach the Supreme Court.
The House passed the report, which recommended 15 days imprisonment to the journalist. However, the then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar ordered there was no need to send him to prison.
Employer fails him
Meanwhile, Gupte’s management that was supporting him all the while abruptly asked him to resign. He was never able to recover from the shock and has been without a job for the last 18 years.
"We can’t tell you the trauma that we have suffered all these years. Prakash became mentally unsound. I had to take on the responsibility of raising three children. I sold our house in Chembur and moved to Vashi. My kids are now married" said Gayatri, his wife.
New system in place
The system of having questions being chosen through a lottery system has been discontinued. The current Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kuppekar has instructed secretariat officials to ensure that every question submitted by the members is replied to.
While MLA’s are pleased about the new rule, it has led to an increased workload on employees.
Employees say a question has to be submitted 48 days in advance. It takes that long to seek out the relevant department to get answers.
