M A I N   N E W S

Uproar in House over raids against Sukhbir
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29
The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes today as the BJP raised the issue of Vigilance raids on the official premises of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. son of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Ruling and Opposition members clashed over the issue, leading to the adjournment of the House twice.

Raising the issue during zero hour, BJP member S.S. Ahluwalia protested against the “goondagardi” of the Congress government in Punjab, sparking off noisy protests by Congress members, who said the matter could not be raised as it was sub judice.

The BJP member charged the Amarinder Singh government of being biased in its approach and alleged that the Badals were being falsely implicated by the state Vigilance Bureau.

Amidst shouts of “shame shame”, BJP members were up on their feet saying “hooliganism” of the Congress government in Punjab should not be allowed to go on as it was falsely implicating Badal’s family members.

Congress members, particularly Mr Suresh Pachouri and Mr Ambika Soni, objected to the raising of the issue as the matter was sub judice. Mr Pachouri, quoting rules, said the House could not discuss any issue which was sub judice. He said any discussion could prejudice the judicial process.

The BJP members said if the Babri Masjid issue could be discussed, why not this issue as inquiries were going on and the chargesheet was yet to be filed.

When Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat asked Mr Ahluwalia not to raise anything sub judice, the agitated BJP members pointed out that there was nothing sub judice in the matter as an inquiry was going on.

As both ruling and Opposition members were not relenting despite the Chairman’s plea for order, the latter adjourned the House for half an hour.

As soon as the House reassembled after the first adjournment, Mr Ahluwalia protested once more against the “vindictive” raids. His protests were countered by Congress benches, with Mr Suresh Pachouri saying that any discussion in the House would be contempt of court as one of the accused was in judicial custody.

The Deputy Chairperson, Dr Najma Heptulla, who had a tough time controlling the proceedings, asked ruling party members to submit their views in writing to the Chairman in the Chambers as they had been permitted to speak in the House but could not do so. This would help him to take a decision, she advised before adjourning the House.

With the BJP members reviving their slogan-shouting against the “goondaism” of the Congress, the Chair adjourned the House for the second time.

Throughout zero hour, SAD MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal were in the House and circulated the reports of The Tribune on the raids and questioning of SAD workers by the Vigilance Bureau.