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No deal with Sukh Ram over reviewing cases, says PMO

The central government has no intention of reviewing the corruption cases against former communication minister Sukh Ram, as the President has already given permission to investigating agencies to initiate prosecution proceedings against him in the multi-million rupee telecom scam case.

Reacting to Sukh Ram's reported letter to the prime minister for a review of the corruption cases, sources in the Prime Minister's Office said, ''The President has given permission for the prosecution, and he is the only authority to decide.''

The sources denied a report that Sukh Ram, who resigned yesterday from the Dhumal ministry in Himachal Pradesh, has sent a letter threatening to withdraw support to the state government unless his case was reviewed. The sources were ''not aware of such a letter.''

Referring to the allegation of corruption levelled by All India Anna DMK leader Jayalalitha against Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde and Urban Development Minister Ram Jethmalani, the sources said they have not been chargesheeted.

However, Jayalalitha's letter of allegations, along with the replies from Hedge and Jethmalani, have been sent to the attorney general for his legal opinion.

Asked about the AIADMK's demand for dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government, the sources said the BJP-led coalition government's stand on Article 356 of the Constitution remained the same and there was nothing more to add. ''Let them say whatever they want to say,'' the sources said.

On the presentation of the Srikrishna Commission report on the Bombay riots in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition, the sources said the state government had promised to table it before August 15, along with the action taken report.

UNI

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