The Hindu : Jogi's letter: PM orders CBI probe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

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Jogi's letter: PM orders CBI probe

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 1. Describing the document attached along with the Chhatisgarh Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi's letter to him as "forged", the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today ordered a CBI inquiry into the case of forgery.

Mr. Jogi had on Monday accused the Union Home Ministry of using agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau to "harass and defame" Congress leaders in the run-up to the elections. He had alleged that the IB was commissioned to launch an operation "Black Sea" to fabricate cases of corruption against Congress leaders. Taking a stern view of Mr. Jogi's allegations, the Prime Minister described the document enclosed with the letter as "obviously forged'' and vehemently denied any such operation by the IB.

"It follows that the allegations you have made against my Government are false," Mr. Vajpayee said.

In his reply to Mr. Jogi, the Prime Minister said that it was hardly necessary for him to "write that your insinuations and allegations, particularly against the Ministry of Home Affairs, are baseless and politically motivated."

Mr. Vajpayee further said: "I am informed by the Director of Intelligence Bureau that there is no Special Directorate in the IB and that it has not launched an operation code-named Black Sea, as mentioned in your letter.

In the circumstances, I have asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to go into this case of forgery and take appropriate action against the person or persons connected with the forgery. I am sure that given the high constitutional office you hold, you will readily and fully cooperate with the CBI.''

Since Mr. Jogi had published his letter, the Prime Minister said that he was also releasing his reply to the media.

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