Jayalalithaa forced to comply with the Supreme Court directive

The Hindu today withdrew its request for Central security, in the light of the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's assurance that the State Police was fully complying with and implementing the orders of the Supreme Court.

This acceptance of the power of judicial review over matters of legislative privilege is institutionally important. This is perhaps the first time that a Chief Minister of a State where the Legislative Assembly has punished anyone for breach of privilege has publicly acknowledged the supremacy of the Constitution and the Supreme Court as the final interpreter and adjudicator of legislative privileges when they come into conflict with Constitutional provisions, especially fundamental rights.