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Gujarat snoopgate panel before May 16: Shinde
Tribune News Service & PTI

Shimla/New Delhi, May 2
A judicial commission to probe snoopgate, allegedly involving Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be in place before the Lok Sabha poll process comes to an end on May 16, the Union Government said today, rejecting questions raised by the BJP over it.

The assertion by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Law Minister Kapil Sibal evoked a sharp reaction from BJP that said it only reflects the "arrogance" of the UPA that would soon be “voted out of power”.

The government had decided to set up the inquiry commission four months back, but the process got delayed reportedly because of its inability to zero in on a judge. "The Cabinet had taken the decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to probe the incident of snooping on a woman in Gujarat. We will soon appoint the judge... before May 16," Shinde told a press conference in Shimla. When asked whether the appointment in the midst of elections would amount to a poll code violation, Shinde replied in the negative. “It will not be a violation as the decision was taken by the Union Cabinet much before the code came into force," he said.

The Union Cabinet had on December 26, 2013 decided to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe charges of spying on a woman in 2009, triggering a political row.

"I am worried. The way the Chief Minister of Gujarat snooped into the life of a woman, I am really worried what will happen to the women of the country if he becomes the Prime Minister," Shinde said. Ruling out political motive behind the probe, Shinde said the commission would strictly go by facts and case records.

In New Delhi, Law Minister Kapil Sibal also said a judge will be appointed by March 16. He rubbished BJP leader Arun Jaitley’s contention that he would be "surprised" if there is a judge who has "agreed to 'lend' himself to the UPA".

BJP blasts ‘stoop-gate’

"It is not snoopgate, it is stoop-gate. The Home Minister of India is stooping to this level. I can see the desperation... No judge is willing to inquire into it, but they are insisting. We don't fear you."

Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP leader