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The coffin scam rocked the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as a determined Opposition stalled proceedings demanding Defence Minister George Fernandes' resignation.
They also demanded a statement from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on a court notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation asking it to register cases against those involved in the tehelka.com expose.
Congress member Suresh Pachouri raised the issue during the Zero Hour and the House was thrown into turmoil for over 40 minutes leading to an adjournment for 15 minutes first and then a walkout by the entire Opposition barring the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Flaunting Wednesday's newspaper, which carried a report alleging that 500 aluminium caskets for Kargil martyrs were purchased at $ 2,500 apiece, Pachouri wanted to know whether the government had followed proper procedure in placing the order.
Pandemonium broke out when Fernandes rose to clarify the position on the points raised by Pachouri as the opposition insisted that only Vajpayee should reply.
Fernandes spoke a few sentences on the issue but could not be heard over the din.
Joining his colleagues, Congress member Kapil Sibal said the prime minister should make a statement and not Fernandes on the Delhi High Court notice as the CBI was not controlled by the Ministry of Defence.
This triggered a fresh bout of protests from Bharatiya Janata Party members.
PTI
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