New Delhi, Oct 7: Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of a “proper” sanction order for prosecution, a Delhi court today decided to consider on October 14 the supplementary charge sheet against BJP MP Ashok Argal in the cash-for-vote scam.
“This is just a letter (from the Secretary General Lok Sabha). You (prosecutor) may call it a communication or something else. What has to be before me should be a proper sanction order like in other cases. I am not satisfied with this kind of sanction letter,” Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said.
To the court's query, the prosecution said the sanction order was communicated through a letter sent by the Lok Sabha Secretary General.
Public Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan said the Speaker of the Lok Sabha was the competent authority to grant the sanction to prosecute the MP under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, the judge remained unconvinced and posted the matter for “consideration on the charge sheet” on October 14.
Meanwhile, the arguments on bail pleas of Sudheendra Kulkarni, the former aide of senior BJP leader L K Advani, and that of two former BJP MPs - Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora could not be concluded today and will be heard on October 13. PTI
