Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh, who represents Buxar in the Lok Sabha, has sought the intervention of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla over a legal defamation notice allegedly issued by senior Bihar IPS officer Kundan Krishnan.
The controversy stems from the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bilauti village of Bhojpur district and allegations of a fake encounter. Singh has raised questions about the incident and demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and the role of the police.
In a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, the MP has requested an inquiry into the matter and urged that it be referred to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee if sufficient preliminary grounds are established.
Sudhakar Singh Claims IPS Officer Threatened ₹5 Crore Defamation Suit
According to Sudhakar Singh, Kundan Krishnan sent him a legal notice through his personal advocate. The MP claims that the notice demanded a public apology and warned of a ₹5 crore defamation suit, along with possible criminal proceedings.
Singh has asked the Lok Sabha Speaker to take cognisance of the matter, arguing that the notice must be examined in the context of his parliamentary responsibilities and his right to raise issues of public concern.
The claims regarding the notice and the circumstances surrounding its issuance have been presented by the MP. The final legal position will depend on the contents of the notice and the applicable law.
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari Death Case: Questions Over Police Role
The dispute is connected to the suspicious death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bilauti village, Bhojpur district, Bihar, which has prompted allegations of a fake encounter.
In his letter, Sudhakar Singh has claimed that the police personnel concerned were suspended and that an FIR was registered following a complaint by the deceased’s mother.
According to the MP, the state government has also constituted a committee to conduct a judicial inquiry into the incident. However, he has stated that the findings of the inquiry have not yet been made public.
Singh has called for a transparent investigation to establish the circumstances of the death and determine accountability, if any, for the alleged wrongdoing.
RJD MP Seeks Probe into Kundan Krishnan’s Role as Bihar STF Chief
Sudhakar Singh has argued that the investigation should not be restricted to police personnel at the lower levels.
According to the MP, Kundan Krishnan was serving as Director General of the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) at the time of the incident. Singh has therefore called for an examination of the decision-making process, communication between officers, information available to police headquarters and the role of the senior leadership.
He has maintained that the investigation should establish whether the incident involved any lapses in supervision or accountability.
These are allegations and questions raised by the MP; responsibility for the incident cannot be established without the findings of a proper investigation.
Sudhakar Singh Raises Parliamentary Privilege Concerns Under Article 105
The RJD MP has expressed concern that the defamation notice could be intended to discourage him from raising the matter in Parliament.
Singh has argued that elected representatives must be able to question administrative actions and examine allegations of possible misuse of authority without undue pressure.
In support of his position, he has referred to Article 105 of the Constitution of India, which provides for the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and its members.
He has asked the Speaker to examine whether the legal notice raises any issue concerning parliamentary privileges or the ability of an MP to discharge his official responsibilities.
The applicability of parliamentary privilege to the circumstances of the notice would depend on the specific facts and the relevant legal provisions.
MP Questions Authority to Issue Notice and Government Permission
Sudhakar Singh has also sought clarification regarding the capacity in which Kundan Krishnan issued the notice and whether any permission was obtained from the Bihar or Central Government.
The MP has referred to Rule 17 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, in raising questions about the matter.
He has also questioned the role of the private law firm involved in sending the notice, seeking clarity on whether it was representing the officer solely in a personal capacity or had been authorised to represent the Bihar Government.
Singh has requested that the relevant authorisation orders, if any, and the scope of the law firm’s authority be examined.
Sudhakar Singh’s Five Key Requests to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
The RJD MP has placed several requests before the Lok Sabha Speaker in connection with the controversy.
His key demands include:
- Inquiry into the matter: Examine the circumstances surrounding the defamation notice and the issues raised by the MP.
- Referral to the Privileges Committee: Refer the matter to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee if sufficient preliminary grounds are established.
- Clarification on government permission: Establish whether approval from the Bihar or Central Government was obtained before the notice was issued, where such approval was required.
- Details of legal representation: Clarify whether the private law firm was acting solely for Kundan Krishnan or was authorised to represent the Bihar Government.
- Status of the judicial inquiry: Provide information about the progress and findings of the inquiry into Bharat Bhushan Tiwari’s death and take appropriate steps to protect parliamentary independence if undue pressure is established.
What Happens Next in the Sudhakar Singh-Kundan Krishnan Dispute?
The matter now centres on the response of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and any clarification that may be provided by the concerned authorities.
Sudhakar Singh has urged the Speaker to examine the legal notice alongside the broader issues surrounding the Bilauti village death case. He has also sought steps to ensure that elected representatives can perform their parliamentary duties without intimidation or retaliation.
Any decision on referring the matter to the Privileges Committee, the status of the judicial inquiry or the legal implications of the notice will depend on the relevant facts, applicable rules and responses from the concerned authorities.
Read also: Who Is IPS Tejaswini Gautam? Kota SP Wins Praise for Swift Action in Tiger Shroff Firing Case
