House panel probe likely; BJP MPs get a reminder
An all-party House Panel, mostly likely the Lok Sabha privileges committee, looks set to probe the cash-for-vote ‘scam’ even if a parallel police inquiry is ordered.
By C L Manoj, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: An all-party House Panel, mostly likely the Lok Sabha privileges committee, looks set to probe the cash-for-vote ���scam��� even if a parallel police inquiry is ordered.
The Lok Sabha secretariat, according to sources, sent letters on Wednesday to three BJP MPs to whom the cash was allegedly paid, asking them to give written complaints to the Speaker at the earliest so that the inquiry could be initiated. The letters, sent under the instruction of the Speaker, also reminded the MPs that they had failed to submit their written complaint to the Speaker despite being told to do so on Tuesday itself. ���The Speaker will act as soon as he gets these complaints,��� a source said.
There are also indications that some ruling side MPs would approach the Speaker with petitions of breach of privileges against the three BJP MPs. Also, there could be another such petitions on the ground that bringing wads of currency onto the floor of Lok Sabha was ���impermissible��� and thus amounted to ���contempt of House���. In this case, a House panel probe into the matter will become inevitable.
Lok Sabha sources say the whole issue involves three broad technical points. Since the allegation of bribing comes under Prevention of Corruption Act, the three complainants could file an FIR with the police station, seeking a criminal investigation into the matter in which case the Lok Sabha Secretariat will have no role to play. But then the three BJP MPs could also file a breach of privileges with the Speaker as the alleged bribing was done to influence their official discharge of duty as Parliamentarians.
The Lok Sabha secretariat, according to sources, sent letters on Wednesday to three BJP MPs to whom the cash was allegedly paid, asking them to give written complaints to the Speaker at the earliest so that the inquiry could be initiated. The letters, sent under the instruction of the Speaker, also reminded the MPs that they had failed to submit their written complaint to the Speaker despite being told to do so on Tuesday itself. ���The Speaker will act as soon as he gets these complaints,��� a source said.
There are also indications that some ruling side MPs would approach the Speaker with petitions of breach of privileges against the three BJP MPs. Also, there could be another such petitions on the ground that bringing wads of currency onto the floor of Lok Sabha was ���impermissible��� and thus amounted to ���contempt of House���. In this case, a House panel probe into the matter will become inevitable.
Lok Sabha sources say the whole issue involves three broad technical points. Since the allegation of bribing comes under Prevention of Corruption Act, the three complainants could file an FIR with the police station, seeking a criminal investigation into the matter in which case the Lok Sabha Secretariat will have no role to play. But then the three BJP MPs could also file a breach of privileges with the Speaker as the alleged bribing was done to influence their official discharge of duty as Parliamentarians.
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