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SC to cross examine
witnesses on ex-Prasar Bharati CEO
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The
Supreme Court will soon cross examine government witnesses on allegations
of financial irregularities against suspended Prasar Bharati CEO B S Lalli.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia asked its registry to complete
the cross examination of government witnesses within four weeks.
It directed that all the
evidence on irregularities be placed before the Registrar and also asked
the former public broadcaster chief to give his list of witnesses within
two weeks.
The bench passed the order on a Presidential reference to sack Lalli, a
1971-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
President Pratibha Patil had on 21 December last ordered Lalli’s
suspension and made a reference to the apex court for his removal on the
recommendation of the government.
According to the Prasar Bharati Act, the chairman or a member of Prasar
Bharati can be removed only by an order of the President on the ground of
misbehaviour after the Supreme Court holds an inquiry following a
reference to it.
Lalli had earlier refuted all the allegations against him and urged the
court to expeditiously hear the reference in view of his retirement in
December this year.
The Supreme Court had on 14 February initiated proceedings on a
Presidential reference for Lalli’s removal and asked the Centre to place
evidence of alleged irregularities committed by him.
The court had also asked the government to file a statement of facts
relating to Lalli’s irregularities and asked the former public broadcaster
chief to respond to it.
Lalli, 67, was suspended after allegations were levelled against him for
financial and administrative irregularities in award of a contract for
broadcast of the Commonwealth Games to UK-based firm SIS Live.
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