Expunction in Parliament

Current Context : Recently, Certain portions of speech from opposition leaders were expunged from the record of parliament during 1^st Assembly of 18^th L.S.

ABOUT EXPUNCTION

• Expunction means deletion of words, phrases or expressions from the proceedings or records for being defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified.
• Presiding officer of the house (Speaker in Lok Sabha and Chairman in Rajya Sabha) has the authority to decide which portion will be expunged.
• Rule 380 and 381 of the Rules of Procedure in Lok Sabha and Rule 261 and 262 of the Rules of Procedure in Rajya Sabha details provisions related to expunction to prevent misuse of freedom of speech guaranteed inside Parliament.
• Article 105(2) of the Constitution protects Members of Parliament from any court proceeding for anything said in parliament.