Getting Arun Jaitley's CDRs illegally not privilege breach: Rajya Sabha report

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha Committee of Privileges has stated in its report that the unauthorised access of call detail records of Arun Jaitley, when he was leader of the Opposition, by a constable of Delhi police was not a breach of privilege as it did not involve seeking information pertaining to his parliamentary functions or was done with the intent to impede his work.

“The committee has come to the conclusion that there is no evidence in the matter of unauthorised access of CDRs of mobile phones of Arun Jaitley to suggest that the motive of the accused persons in the case was to get information pertaining to his parliamentary functions or to create impediments in that regard,” the report said. It observed that in the given facts and circumstances there is no breach of privilege.

The panel, headed by deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, tabled the report on the issue in the House on Tuesday.


The panel also submitted a report on CPM member Sitaram Yechury receiving threatening calls and derogatory messages after his remarks in the House on the agitation in JNU and some comments denigrating Goddess Durga. Then HRD Minister Smriti Irani had countered his remarks leading to an exchange of words. The committee observed that both the minister and the member are protected as they have the privilege of freedom of speech in the House.