Venkataswami to probe charges

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 24. The NDA Government, which has been rocked by the Tehelka expose, today announced the appointment of the former Supreme Court judge, Mr. Justice K. Venkataswami, as head of the Commission of Inquiry to go into allegations of bribery in defence deals as revealed by the portal's videotapes.

Incidentally, sources in the Government said that Mr. Justice Venkataswami, who has been given four months to complete the probe, is currently Chairman of the Chennai-based Railway Rates Tribunal and has a five-year tenure. It appears that the probe will be taken up by him as an additional assignment.

It may be recalled that the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice A.S. Anand, turned down the Government's request for making available a sitting judge of the apex court for the probe. This restricted the choice to a retired judge and ultimately led to the appointment of Mr. Justice Venkataswami. The Commission, with its headquarters in Delhi, has been asked to inquire ``whether the transaction relating to defence and other procurements referred to in the said videotapes and transcripts have been carried out in terms of the prescribed procedures and the imperatives of national security''.

According to the terms of reference notified by the Government, the probe panel would also find out ``whether in any of the aforesaid procurement transactions, illicit gains have been made by persons in public office, individuals, and any other organisation as alleged, and if so, to what extent''.

Mr. Justice Venkataswami has been asked to suggest action against persons found responsible ``for their acts of commission and/or omissions''. The Commission, which is free to make interim reports, will go into all aspects relating to the allegations as well as any other matter which arises from or is connected with or incidental to any act of commission or transaction under inquiry.

The notification making the appointment said that the setting up of the Commission was necessitated as certain allegations had been made in the videotapes and transcripts, which was followed by widespread coverage in the print and electronic media.

Further, it said, these allegations tend to cast an adverse reflection on the manner in which defence procurements and other transactions of the Central Government were carried out.

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