The Hindu : National : Centre gets time to file status report

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Centre gets time to file status report

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the Centre and the CBI six weeks to file a status report on the probe into Kargil defence purchases, indicating disciplinary or criminal action taken against the officers concerned for irregularities and illegalities. When the matter was taken up by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam, Attorney-General Milon K. Banerjee sought further time for filing the status report as information was awaited from the Defence Ministry and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Amicus curiae Rakesh Dwivedi said the government was yet to take any action on the court direction issued in August 2006.

The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation petition alleging that the scam caused a loss of Rs. 2,175 crore to the exchequer. It was alleged that during the Kargil war the National Democratic Alliance government relaxed norms for purchase of equipment, arms and ammunition but did not revert to the old procedure even after the cessation of the armed operations.

The court on August 14, 2006 directed the Defence Ministry to file an affidavit explaining what departmental action it had taken or proposed to take against the officers concerned; and if action was taken, what was the stage of the enquiry. Subsequently, the Centre filed a report stating that of the 48 cases referred to the CBI, 10 related to the Tehelka exposé; 23 were based on the CAG findings of irregularities and the government delay in acquiring arms during the Kargil conflict, and the remaining 15 were sent directly by the Defence Ministry. Since the report was incomplete, the Bench sought a status report.

Further hearing is posted to February 24.

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