Court refuses to stop Bangaru Laxman’s trial for graft
By IANSMonday, August 30, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Monday refused to quash criminal proceedings against former Bharatiya Janata Party president Bangaru Laxman who was caught accepting money in a sting operation carried out in 2001.
Justice S.N. Dhingra declined to interfere in the trial court proceedings against Laxman.
He is facing charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case against Laxman Dec 6, 2004.
The CBI alleged that he fudged BJP account books to accommodate Rs.1 lakh received from a fictitious firm, a charge refuted by the politician.
The case was handed over to the CBI after the government refused to extend the term of Justice S.N. Phukan Commission that probed the sting operation conducted by Tehelka web portal.
The case was handed over to the CBI more than three years after the web portal’s expose March 13, 2001 when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power.
A political storm was set off when the Tehelka tapes were made public leading to the resignation of Laxman and then defence minister George Fernandes.
