Patna, Aug. 13: Buoyed by the Supreme Court’s criticism of the UPA government on the issue of granting pardon to a fodder scam approver, the BJP today expressed a sense of déjà vu vis-à-vis its allegations that the trial course in the corruption cases against Laloo Prasad Yadav was being allegedly influenced by extraneous means.
On the related front of taking on “tainted” ministers from Bihar, the BJP stepped up its attack on Mohammad Taslimuddin as it submitted a memorandum to Governor M. Rama Jois, demanding immediate sacking and arrest of the controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal politician.
BJP vice-president Sushil Kumar Modi, who led the delegation to Raj Bhavan here, had yesterday produced court papers to stress that Taslimuddin was absconding in a criminal case — facing non-bailable arrest warrants and property attachment orders issued by the first class judicial magistrate of Araria.
Modi pointed out that he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Rajya Sabha chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, seeking immediate action against Taslimuddin.
“I have given a notice to the Speaker under Section 353 of the rules of business, which deals with pressing a charge against a member. We will raise the issue forcefully in Parliament on August 16 if action against Taslimuddin is not initiated by then. I am in touch with L.K. Advani and Nitish Kumar on this matter,” Modi said.
The Supreme Court’s observations came while hearing a special leave petition filed by Dipesh Chandak, an approver in the multi-crore fodder swindle, who has been served a notice by the income tax department for filing false returns. The showcause has come despite the CBI granting pardon to Chandok after he turned approver in the fodder scam cases.
The apex court bench of Justices S.N. Variava and A.K. Mathur wanted the government to clarify its stand on the matter of pardon to Chandok and wondered why it had not been done after several adjournments.
The CBI’s case was argued by additional solicitor-general B. Dutta, whom Modi charged on Tuesday with not presenting all the facts when the matter of legality of gubernatorial sanction for prosecuting Laloo Prasad in the disproportionate assets came up for hearing before the apex court.
