LexisNexis India Announces Launch of the Book Parliament - Powers, Functions and Privileges: A Comparative Constitutional Perspective

Online, October 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Parliament - Powers, Functions and Privileges: A comparative constitutional perspective

authored by Dr. KS Chauhan, Advocate, Supreme Court of India specializing in Constitutional Law, Public Law and Service Law. The title is focused on the Indian polity with comparative insights of practices and experiences of various liberal democracies in the world. It aims to cater to the need and demand of understanding the Parliament as an institution of national importance and bedrock of the Indian Polity.

Hon'ble Mr. Justice P Sathasivam, Chief Justice of India released the book at the Civil Services Officers' Institute (CSOI), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The book launch witnessed the presence of distinguished guests and address by eminent jurists like Hon'ble Mr. Justice T.S. Thakur, Judge, Supreme Court of India who has also written the 'Foreword' for the book, Prof. (Dr.) K. Elumalai, Director School of Law, IGNOU and Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi. The function was attended by Judges from Supreme Court, several advocates from the bar, Vice Chancellors, academicians and members of the legal fraternity. Mr. Mohan Ramaswamy, Managing Director LexisNexis mentioned that, "this is one of the most recent and comprehensive books that provides a comparative study of various democracies. The chapters on Defection, Judicial Review and Parliamentary Privileges, and Media make it stand apart. This comprehensive treatise on Parliament Powers, Functions & Privileges will not only appeal to a large section of the legislative houses, judiciary, advocates and constitution law experts, journalists, law teachers and students, but even public at large".

About the book

Parliament: Powers, Functions and Privileges is focused on the Indian polity with comparative insights of practices and experiences of various liberal democracies. India, having given itself a basic governing document in the form of 'the Constitution,' is an apt model of 'nation state' to be imitated and followed. The Parliament of India, having its origin from the Constitution of India, is the supreme legislative body which reflects the representative democracy elected by an adult suffrage in a free and fair election in tune with the constitutional principles. The literature on Parliament, its working and functioning is in abundance, however, there was a vacuity in the existing pool of literatures (treatises, books, compendium, cases and materials etc. on the working and functioning of the Parliament) which covers all the three important aspects i.e. powers, functions and privileges. This book is the modest attempt to fill the existing vacuum in the world of academia. The Parliament of India is a magnificent manifestation of the democratic ethos and it is the repository of the constituent power which occupies central position in the Indian democratic polity. The voluminous work begins with a narrative on historical evolution of parliamentary institutions in England and India; powers and functions of Parliament, elections of its constituent and members. The principles of Anti-defection law inserted through the Constitution (52 Amendment) Act, 1985, has been dealt separately in a chapter titled 'Defection as Disqualification', in addition to the disqualifications prescribed in the Constitution. Apart from this, the book makes an in-depth analysis of the origin, purposes and constitutional practices of Parliamentary Privileges outlining the height of tension between the office of the Speaker, Lok Sabha and the Supreme Court in Cash for Query case (2007). The chapter on 'Privileges and Media' is a special highlight of the book which also examines the role of media vis-a-vis parliamentary privileges, issues of sting operations and its limitations etc.

About the Author

Dr. Chauhan is an Advocate practicing in the Supreme Court of India. He specializes in Constitutional Law, Public Law and Service Law. He has conducted a famous case on parliamentary privileges popularly known as the Cash for Query case (Raja Ram Pal v. the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha) in 2007, before the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India. He has also appeared in leading cases including M. Nagaraj v. Union of India in 2006, and other constitutional law cases. Dr. Chauhan believes in guiding and sharing his knowledge with the young budding lawyers and accordingly has been encouraging and motivating students of law at the University of Delhi, Indian Law Institute, and various other research institutions in India.

About LexisNexis India

LexisNexis® India (www.lexisnexis.co.in ) is a market leader in legal, business information and services solutions with an integrated print and online offering. From advanced legal research solutions provider and specialty print publishing to news and business information dissemination, LexisNexis India provides the experience, expertise and competencies that enable professionals to accelerate their processes, deliver enhanced value and realize breakthrough results. Part of Reed Elsevier, LexisNexis Legal & Professional serves customers in more than 100 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide. LexisNexis has impressive and highly respected brands like Butterworths, Halsburys, Wadhwa and Lexis®India.

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