Friday, December 23 2005 17:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee, which recommended expulsion of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Chhattrapal Singh Lodha in connection with the cash-for-query scam, today (Dec 23, 2005) took exception to televising of the expose in a 'sensational manner, putting Parliament and MPs on public trial.'

The panel, headed by senior Congress member Karan Singh, said in its 16-page report that the Committee was a self-regulatory watchdog body whose jurisdiction could be invoked by anyone having a complaint against an MP.

"The committee feels that when a system is in place, the producer of the sting operation and the broadcaster could have taken recourse to that methodology instead of televising the expose in a sensational manner, thereby putting Parliament and its members on public trial," the report tabled in the House said.

It pointed out that Rule 295 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) clearly lays out the procedure for making a complaint regarding alleged unethical behaviour or breach of the Code of Conduct by a member.