Madras HC orders interim stay on privilege notice to DMK MLAs

The Madras High Court on Thursday issued an interim stay on the privilege notice issued to the legislators of the DMK party.

The legislators had earlier filed a writ petition against the notice.

When the state assembly was in session in 2017, Stalin and 20 other DMK lawmakers brought 'gutkha' (a tobacco product) packets to stress that the banned product was available in the markets freely.

A breach of privilege issue was raised against the DMK lawmakers and a notice was issued to them. The DMK lawmakers filed a case in the High Court against the notice.

On August 25 this year, while setting aside the privilege notice that was issued, the Madras High Court said the Privilege Committee can issue another notice if it still considers the act of DMK lawmakers a breach of privilege.

Subsequently, another privilege notice was issued to the DMK lawmakers in September against which the court has now issued an interim stay.