Hate Speech Prevention Bill was not passed in haste: Speaker U.T. Khader
Bengaluru: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Monday clarified that the Hate Speech Prevention Bill was not passed in a hurry during the winter session of the Legislature held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.
Addressing a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha to brief the media on the proceedings of the session, Khader said that the bill was discussed, but confusion arose as multiple issues were taken up simultaneously.
“When an important bill is being discussed and opposition members enter the well of the House and protest, what option is left? There was a detailed discussion on the Hate Speech Prevention Bill in the Legislative Council as well,” he said.
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Khader added that the Assembly had provided ample opportunity for discussion, but opposition parties chose not to participate. “There was no restriction on debate in the Assembly. However, the opposition did not take part in the discussion,” he said.
Responding to a question on the venue of future sessions, the Speaker said discussions are underway on holding the monsoon session in Belagavi instead of the winter session. He explained that the winter season coincides with a large number of religious and social events, and ministers and MLAs often have prior commitments during that period.
On the reported expenditure of ₹43 lakh for the Speaker’s Bench at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Khader said the work was carried out by the Karnataka State Forest Development Corporation and the Public Works Department.
“We are aware of the history and significance of the bench. However, the Speaker’s office does not deal with expenditure details,” he said, adding that the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly had appreciated the design and was replicating it there. “That itself is a matter of pride for us,” he remarked.
On a question regarding Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar giving an incorrect reply in the House on the release of installments under the Lakshmi Housing Scheme, the Speaker said the minister had acknowledged the mistake and apologised on the floor of the House. “She has also assured that the department will examine how the error occurred,” Khader said.
Providing details of the session, Khader said the Legislature sat for 57 hours and 35 minutes over 10 days, during which 23 bills were passed.
As many as 39 members debated issues related to North Karnataka for 17 hours and 2 minutes, and seven resolutions were unanimously passed for submission to the Central government.
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A total of 2,109 questions were received during the session. Of the 135 questions listed for oral answers, 134 were answered, while 1,750 out of 1,974 questions listed for written replies were responded to.
Under Rule 351, 180 notices were admitted and 70 answered, while 228 out of 368 matters raised for attention were addressed. Two matters were discussed during Zero Hour.
Khader also noted that school and college students, along with members of the public, visited the Legislature during the session. A park was inaugurated within the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises, and the world’s second-largest national flag was unfurled during the session, he added.
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Chhatrasal Stadium murder case: Delhi HC seeks police's stand on wrestler Sushil Kumar's bail plea
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi Police on a bail plea by Olympian Sushil Kumar in the murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar.
Justice Anup J Bhambhani issued notice to Delhi Police and the kin of the deceased, and asked them to file a status report and a reply, respectively.
Noting that the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to Kumar by the high court in August last year, the judge remarked, "I think you are being ambitious."
"Once the Supreme Court has taken a view, what do you expect from me?" the court asked.
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The counsel for the accused said the bail plea should be considered since all public witnesses have been examined in the trial.
The counsel for Delhi Police and the deceased's kin, however, said all public witnesses were yet to be examined.
"Let a status report/detailed reply be filed before the next date of hearing. Renotify on May 4," the court said.
Kumar was arrested in May 2021 and a sessions court granted him a week's interim bail for his knee surgery on July 19, 2023.
On August 13, 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled Kumar's bail, setting aside a March 4 high court order and noting that his "domineering influence" over witnesses or delaying the trial proceedings could not be ruled out.
On February 6 this year, a trial court refused to grant bail to Kumar, saying the possibility that the accused might influence witnesses "cannot be ruled out".
The trial court, in October 2022, framed charges against Kumar under Indian Penal Code sections dealing with murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and rioting with a deadly weapon. Charges were also framed under the provisions of the Arms Act.
The trial court had noted that after being abducted and brought to the Chhatrasal Stadium, Dhankar was severely assaulted by several accused persons with baseball and hockey sticks.
