M A I N   N E W S

Charges framed against Sukh Ram

New Delhi, July 10
Almost five years after the raids by the CBI and seizure of cash and property worth more than Rs 6 crore, a designated court here today framed charges against former Communications Minister Sukh Ram alleging that he possessed assets disproportionate to known sources of income.

In his order, Special Judge R. L. Chugh said: “You have committed an offence punishable under various Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and within the cognizance of this court for possessing total assets — movable, immovable and cash — worth Rs 6,00,90,365 at Delhi, Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and other places as on August 16, 1996.

“The charges are read and explained to the accused who is questioned — Do you plead guilty or claim to be tried?’’ Mr Chugh asked Mr Sukh Ram in open court.

Mr Sukh Ram, who was present with his counsel Y.D. Shrama said: “I plead not guilty and claim to be tried.’’

Mr Chugh said Mr Sukh Ram was an MP between June 20, 1991, and August 16, 1996, and a member of the Council of Ministers from July 2, 1992, to May 16, 1996.

Before the check period starting on June 20, 1991, he had assets worth Rs 26,13,010. As per the records, his total income from all known sources was Rs 84,98,180 and total expenditure Rs 46,87,960 during the check period from June 20, 1991, to August 16, 1996.

Mr Sukh Ram was holding public positions and liable to be prosecuted for possessing unaccounted assets worth Rs 5,36,67,135 which were beyond his known sources of income.

He also could not provide a satisfactory account for assets seized during the raid on his official and residential premises in Delhi, Mandi and other places on August 16 and 17, 1996, the order said.

The CBI had seized cash worth Rs 3.61 crore, which was concealed in bags and suitcases. Apart from the cash, his bungalow in the Kaushambhi residential scheme on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border had been valued at Rs 1.10 crore, jewellery worth over Rs 10 lakh, bank accounts and fixed deposits worth Rs 7 lakh, house in Mandi evaluated at Rs 50 lakh and a farmhouse at Panarasa in Mandi worth Rs 50 lakh.

Other property belonging to him or his family included an apple orchard spread over nearly 12 acres and the Hotel Mayfair in Mandi.

The case was registered under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) on the basis of the scrutiny of income tax returns filed by Mr Sukh Ram during the check period.

According to the section, “known sources of income” meant income received from any lawful sources and intimation of such receipt in accordance with the provisions of any law, rules or order for the time being applicable to a public servant.

If convicted, a public servant may be given a prison term not less than one year but which may extend up to seven years. The public servant is also liable to a fine. UNI

Dasgupta dead

Kolkata, July 10
Veteran Marxist leader and Chairman of the Left Front Sailen Dasgupta died in a Mumbai hospital tonight after a protracted illness. He was 82.

Dasgupta, who underwent a bypass surgery at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, died at 9.10 pm, according to CPI(M) sources. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.

Dasgupta was taken to the Mumbai hospital for treatment earlier this month. He went through a successful bypass surgery last Thursday but his condition started deteriorating from Monday and he had to be kept in the ICCU.

Dasgupta's body would be brought to Kolkata tomorrow and the cremation would be held on Thursday. 

West Bengal Governor Viren J. Shah has expressed deep grief over the death, Raj Bhavan sources said. Shah said the void, created by his death, would never be filled. Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattcharjee also expressed "deep anguish" over the death. "Dasgupta's death is a deep loss to us which cannot be redeemed," Bhattacharjee said in a statement here.

Recalling his long association with Dasgupta, octogenarian leader Jyoti Basu said his contribution in building the party can never be forgotten. "Both of us worked together underground when the party was banned," the former Chief Minister said.

Dasgupta's political career in the Communist Party spanned over 60 years. He was the CPI(M) state secretary a few years ago, before Anil Biswas took over.

Joining the Communist Party in 1939, Dasgupta was closely associated with the peasants' movement, besides being an active member of Anusilan Samiti, a revolutionary organisation in the pre-Independence period.

A guiding force for the CPI(M), Dasgupta took active role in steering the party in every election since 1952.

Born in Barisal, now in Bangladesh, in 1920, Dasgupta suffered imprisonment in 1936 for participating in the freedom movement.

Dasgupta occupied the dual position of party state secretary and Chairman of the Left Front in 1990. He was inducted in the party central committee in 1990, before being taken in the Politburo the following year. PTI

CBI seeks nod to prosecute Laloo

Patna, July 10
The CBI has sought the Governor’s permission to prosecute former state Chief Ministers Laloo Prasad Yadav and Dr Jagannath Mishra, along with 72 others, in connection with a fresh conspiracy angle case related to the multi-crore-rupees-fodder scam.

The CBI sleuths have also sought state Assembly Speaker Sadanand Singh’s permission to prosecute two MLAs R.K. Rana and Jagdish Sharma. UNI