Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has directed suspended Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentarian Babubhai Katara not to attend the House till the matter has been deliberated upon.
In a one page directive on Thursday, the Speaker, who had called an all-party meeting earlier this week to discuss the allegations of human trafficking against Katara, gave details of the incident.
"On April 18, 2007, a communication was received in my office from the deputy commissioner of police, Indira Gandhi International Airport unit, intimating about the arrest of Babubhai K Katara, MP, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Passport Act. The member concerned is now under police custody," he said.
The Speaker, while giving details of his discussions with leaders of various parties, said, "Everyone agreed that the House should not only express its concern but also condemn the 'commission' of the alleged offence by member of this august House. Accordingly, on behalf of the House and on my behalf, I strongly disapprove the conduct of the member and condemn the same."
He also expressed that the House was distressed and expressed its firm determination to take all necessary action, so that the dignity of the House was not tarnished.
He is likely to convene the meeting of the members of all parties to decide how such matters may be dealt with in future so that the prestige of this great institution is upheld.
Katara was arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport when he was allegedly trying to smuggle out a woman and a boy to Canada after forging passports of his wife and son.
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