NEW DELHI: The CPI (M) has criticized the visit of new CBI chief Joginder Singh to the residence of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on August 4th. The CPI (M) has said that given the fact the CBI is investigating various cases such as the JMM bribery case and the Lakhu bhai Pathak cheating case, where Mr. Rao’s name figures as an accused, the CBI’s chief nonofficial visit to his house would send “wrong signals.”
Mr. Singh, who accompanied Mr. Rao in the latter’s car from former minister of state for home spent over an hour at Mr. Rao’s house. The Marxists’ criticism is important as the CBI comes under the ministry of personnel, which is under Prime Minister Deve Gowda. “In the context that the CBI is investigating specific cases of corruption where Mr. Rao’s name figures, it is inappropriate for the CBI chief to meet Mr. Rao in a personal capacity,” said a senior CPI(M) leader.
Also, since the visit of the CBI chief to Mr. Rao’s residence may provide a handle to the BJP to make allegations about soft-pedaling by the Deve Gowda government on Corruption cases, the Marxists want to ensure the BJP does not capture the moral high ground on the corruption issue in general. That is why the Marxists are keen on their stand being known.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 6, 1996
