PANAJI
Amid expectations that the Opposition might raise issues such as land conversions and the fatal fire at Birch by Romeo Lane during the ongoing winter session of the Legislative Assembly, Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar on Tuesday firmly ruled out any discussion on matters that are sub judice.
Issuing a brief but pointed directive at the start of the day’s proceedings, the Speaker underlined that cases pending before courts, as well as details related to offences under the POCSO Act, the Goa Children’s Act, and similar laws, cannot be taken up or disclosed in the House.
“Matters that are sub judice and pending before the courts are not open for discussion on the floor of this Assembly,” he said, noting that he wished to ‘remind the House of certain important legal and constitutional boundaries that govern our discussions in this Assembly.’
Reiterating the need to uphold privacy standards, Gaonkar stressed that the private lives and financial details of individuals are protected by law.
“The personal finances and private life of any individual fall within the ambit of the Right to Privacy, which is guaranteed and protected by law. No person is entitled to infringe upon this right except in accordance with due process of law. Members of this House, and the House itself, are not exempt from these principles and are bound by the same legal protections. Members are expected to exercise restraint and refrain from making statements that are defamatory or that undermine the dignity or reputation of any person,” he said.
The Speaker further emphasised that the Assembly is duty-bound to safeguard the identity of victims under special statutes.
“Details relating to victims under the POCSO Act, the GCA, and similar laws cannot be sought or disclosed. These provisions expressly safeguard the identity and privacy of victims, and this House is duty-bound to uphold such protection,” he said.
He added that members seeking information must clearly specify the rule under which the request is being made. “Whenever information is sought, Members are required to clearly indicate the specific provisions of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly under which such information is requested,” he said.
