The Hindu : National : I have nothing to do with Banerjee report, says Somnath

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Friday, Jan 21, 2005

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National

I have nothing to do with Banerjee report, says Somnath

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, JAN. 20. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, today refuted the charges of the West Bengal BJP about his ``close relationship'' with Justice Umesh Chandra Banerjee, who has investigated the Godhra incident, saying that he had nothing to do with his appointment or the report.

In a statement, Mr. Chatterjee said: ``My relationship with Justice Banerjee is nothing more than what exists between lawyers who belonged to the same Bar.''

Mr. Chatterjee made these comments in reply to the allegations made by the State BJP leader, Rahul Sinha. According to the Speaker, he had come to know of Mr. Justice Banerjee's assignment only when the Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, made a statement in Parliament on this.

``I came to know of Justice Banerjee's report [on Godhra] from newspapers and I categorically state that I have nothing to do with his report,'' Mr. Chatterjee said.

He said that it was unfortunate that such ``totally unfounded and baseless'' charges had been made involving him and a well-known former judge.

Mr. Chatterjee said that at the outset of his career, Mr. Justice Banerjee had worked in his chamber as a junior for about two years, like many others. Neither he nor the CPI (M) had any hand in appointing Mr. Justice Banerjee or in the discharge of his duty as a judge.

Mr. Chatterjee said that he hoped Mr. Sinha would withdraw his charges.

To this, however, Mr. Sinha said he would expect Mr. Chatterjee to ask Mr. Justice Banerjee to withdraw his report.

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