Narada probe plea in SC

TT, New Delhi, April 23: A Calcutta-based social activist today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the Narada tapes, saying various authorities had ignored his appeals for action against the politicians seen on the video.

The petition also sought the registration of criminal cases against the Trinamul leaders who had allegedly accepted wads of cash.

The petitioner, social activist and lawyer Biplab Kumar Chowdhury, said he was forced to approach the apex court after various authorities, including the Bengal Assembly Speaker and the state police, ignored his appeals for action.

Calcutta High Court is already hearing two petitions seeking an investigation into the Narada issue. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee and a three-member committee appointed by the high court are holding separate probes into the sting footage.

The Narada tapes show images resembling 15 Trinamul politicians, including six MLAs who are seeking re-election, and a police officer allegedly accepting cash from the agent of a fictitious company. In his petition, filed through advocate Subhasish Bhowmick, Chowdhury has submitted the names of the Trinamul politicians.

Statements of Narada chief editor Mathew Samuel claiming that the footage is genuine and news reports on the sting have been attached to the petition.

"It is evident from the above facts that the above referred political leaders, elected representatives, public servants and others shamelessly and illegally accepted bribes in exchange for offering illegally help and aid third parties in the field of government transactions and businesses," the petition said.

"The above facts not only render the elected representatives unfit for their offices, but also make the errant individuals punishable for committing crimes, inter alia (among other things), under the Prevention of Corruption Act," it added.

The petition cited the Supreme Court's ruling in the Raja Ram Pal versus Speaker of Lok Sabha case, which had upheld the expulsion of 12 MPs in the "cash for query" scam some years ago.

In that case, the Supreme Court had rejected the stand taken by the then Lok Sabha Speaker that the court had no right to entertain the petition of the expelled MPs.