The Hindu : National : BJP wants Tribunal order challenged

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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BJP wants Tribunal order challenged

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The government must challenge the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal accepting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s plea that her personal wealth was created by “gifts” given by her supporters out of love and affection and personal esteem, the Bharatiya Janata Party said here on Friday.

If the order is not challenged, not only corrupt politicians, corrupt bureaucrats and police officers would also come out with similar claims, party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

“What is to prevent a district collector from saying that the disproportionate assets he possesses were not created through corrupt means but that he received gifts from the people he had served well in the district,” a senior party leader asked.

The Tribunal order was described by the party as shocking. A view is that the order would have the effect of making nonsense of the disproportionate assets case against the Chief Minister and in future, no case could be brought against any politicians or bureaucrats. “We are very worried. It is a very disturbing order,” Mr. Prasad said.

“It has the potential of being used and abused and legitimising corruption. The Government of India must challenge the Tribunal order.”

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