CD's authenticity will be checked by two labs: PC

NEW DELHI: As Shanti Bhushan filed a contempt notice against Amar Singh over the controversial CD linking him to an alleged deal to "fix" a judge, the government assured that its authenticity would be checked separately by at least two forensic laboratories.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday told reporters that the Delhi Police was already working on the complaint filed by Bhushan alleging tampering of the CD to show him in poor light. "I have been assured by the Delhi Police that there will be a free, fair and thorough probe into the controversial CD," Chidambaram said, adding he had asked the police to ensure that the CD is sent to more than one laboratory for forensic examination.

"At least two laboratories should examine the CD for separate reports," he insisted.

Sources said Delhi Police commissioner BK Gupta has directed the CD case to the crime branch. The voice samples of persons allegedly featuring in the CD conversation may be collected and matched with the CD to establish its authenticity. Incidentally, even as the authenticity of the CD is being probed, Chidambaram had an interesting observation to make: "This is a season of allegations. But I am glad that there is a growing recognition that reputations are also important."

The father-son duo of Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan has been behind many PILs questioning alleged corrupt deals by the government, the primary one being the 2G case being heard by the SC. Prashant was also a petitioner in the case challenging the appointment of tainted bureaucrat PJ Thomas as CVC.

The CD, which surfaced last week, features a purported conversation between Shanti Bhushan and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, claiming a judge could be bribed through Prashant to "fix" a case. Prashant has questioned the authenticity of the CD.

"The CD is fabricated as we have got it subjected to forensic examination from two of the topmost forensic labs specialising in audio analysing," he said.