M A I N   N E W S

‘Declare stand on Srikrishna report’
SC raps Centre, Maharashtra govt
From A Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, July 21 — A three-Judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice Dr A.S. Anand on Friday took the Union Ministry to task for flouting “collective responsibility” as some Cabinet members had made statements in newspapers in conflict with the government’s affidavit before the court on the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission Report on the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots in Mumbai.

The Bench comprising Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti and Mr Justice K.G. Balkrishnan while pulling up the government with regard to public statements of two Cabinet ministers declaring an altogether different stand than taken in the government’s affidavit said, “Is there something known as collective responsibility of the government or is this concept not known? Is it the way to run a civilised government?”

A disturbed Chief Justice asked the Attorney-General in the court packed to its capacity, “Is the Union Government to speak one thing in the court and something else to the public?

“Is it open to the government to speak something when the matter is pending in the highest court?

The Court proceedings during resumed hearing of the public interest petition by the Action Committee for the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission Report seeking action assumes significance in view of the ongoing controversy about the impending arrest of Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray, one of the person indicted in the Report.

Senior Counsel, Ashoke Desai, appearing for the State of Maharashtra, stated that the state government had entrusted the commission’s report to the crime branch of the state C.I.D. for investigation and necessary action in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the Action Taken Report (ATR) filed earlier by the previous Shiv Sena government.

Chief Justice Anand categorically stated that there could be investigation, but no reassessment of the findings.

The judges were of the view that when the report had given certain findings and held certain persons responsible, it was for the appropriate government to prosecute those found guilty.

In its brief order, while adjourning the matter for further hearing by six weeks, the court directed the Centre to file an affidavit making the stand of the government clear.

Deshmukh to meet PM

MUMBAI (UNI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh leaves on Saturday for the national Capital where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to apprise him of the latest developments in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said the DF Government would be compelled to withdraw State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel manning central government establishments in the state following the Centre’s decision to turn down Maharashtra’s request for more paramilitary forces.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena ministers Manohar Joshi and Suresh Prabhu had a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Both ministers left for Mumbai soon after the talks without attending the Cabinet meeting for urgent consultations with Mr Bal Thackeray.