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Govt files suit against Chandra Shekhar, Rao, Gowda also on the list

The Centre has filed a suit for recovery of Rs 59.1 million against former prime minister Chandra Shekhar for using defence aircraft for non-official purposes while in office and will file similar suits against P V Narasimha Rao and H D Deve Gowda by next Tuesday, the government informed the Delhi High Court on Thurday.

Additional Solicitor General K K Sud told a bench comprising Justices Arun Kumar and A K Sikri that the civil suit for recovery of the money against Shekhar has been filed in the Delhi High Court itself.

Sud said the government filed the suit as it was not satisfied with the reply by Shekhar's Samajwadi Janata Party regarding the recovery of the money.

The government had raised a bill of Rs 55.2 million against Rao and Rs 5.46 million against Gowda for using Indian Air Force planes for non-official purposes when they were holding the office of the prime minister.

While the Congress party made payment of the entire Rs 18.6 million bill raised against late premier Rajiv Gandhi, it paid only Rs 2.5 million on behalf of Rao, the court was informed.

The bench directed the government to submit an affidavit by December 7, after filing the suits against Rao and Gowda, giving complete details about the entire matter.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation seeking recovery of Rs 115.5 million pending bills against the three former premiers for using IAF planes for non-official purposes including the party activities.

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