The Hindu : Officials told not to disclose information about raids: PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

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Officials told not to disclose information about raids: PM

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 8. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today shared concern expressed by members of the Rajya Sabha over reports of raids and recoveries being given to the media and said that officials had been told not to disclose such information.

Responding to supplementaries, Mr. Vajpayee said that the officials in the CBI had been repeatedly told not to give out information which could tarnish the reputation of someone.

However, the media had its own sources.

Swaraj Kaushal (HVP) said that information was "passed on" to the press at the time of raids. "This is found to be incorrect when the cases eventually go to court. In the process, the reputation of the person is sullied."

Earlier, the Chairman, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, sought to know why there were more acquittals than conviction in cases of corruption.

Mr. Vajpayee said, "one reason for acquittal may be the person was not guilty".

This prompted Mr. Shekawat to ask why an innocent person was challaned in a court of law to which the Prime Minister said the case might not have been argued properly.

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