Judge's view rocks Lok Sabha again

Patna high court Chief Justice B M Lal's observation favouring imposition of President's rule in Bihar rocked the Lok Sabha for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

It all began during zero hour when Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar, referring to the Bihar developments, said a conspiracy had been hatched to demoralise the Central Bureau of Investigation which was probing the Rs 9.5 billion fodder scam. He also demanded that the Centre should take note of the high court's observation.

Nitish Kumar's remarks provoked Rashtriya Janata Dal members to protest vociferously. However, what they said was lost in the din.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi (Congress), Chandra Shekhar (SJP), Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M) took strong exception to the court's observation. They said the judiciary should not cross its limits.

Chandra Shekhar said the House should condemn the court's observation and that the Chief Justice of India should take corrective steps.

The former premier expressed surprise over the anxiety shown by some members in the House to see former Bihar chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav behind the bars. He said if the high court had ordered that army help could be taken for Laloo Yadav's arrest, it was unjustified.

Guman Mal Lodha (BJP) objected to Chandra Shekhar's remarks and said the former had once prompted the home minister to take up the gun while demanding BJP chief L K Advani's arrest.

Chandra Shekhar clarified that he had opposed the arrest and had spoken of the gun when the peace and tranquility of the nation was under threat.

Jaswant Singh (BJP) wanted the Centre's reaction to the Patna high court's remarks. He said the Patna chief justice's observation should not be made an issue for confrontation between the judiciary and the legislature.

Amid repeated interruptions from the BJP benches, Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M) applauded the government for ignoring the court's observation and said there was no need for the government to react to such remarks.

Several members objected to repeated references to Bihar and said that there were other important issues to be discussed.

A number of members said they should be given a chance to make their point. At this stage, the House was adjourned for one hour.

Meanwhile, the designated CBI court disposed of a petition filed by former Bihar chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav apprehending an attempt on his life by the CBI.

Delivering the judgment, CBI Special Judge S K Lal said the court need not pass any order on the petition as Laloo Yadav has not pleaded for any specific orders by the court.

Besides, the Bihar Military Police camp sub-jail superintendent in his report had said that CBI Joint Director U N Biswas never tried to meet the RJD chief in the sub-jail.

The CBI has also denied the allegations.

UNI

EARLIER STORY:
Storm in Lok Sabha over Patna high court's view