New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday initiated the inquiry into charges of financial and administrative irregularities against suspended Prasar Bharati chief B S Lalli on a reference from President Pratibha Patil.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar asked the Union government to provide evidence to back the allegations against Lalli, who headed Prasar Bharati which controls the national television network.
Additional solicitor general Mohan Jain said Centre would file the statement of facts within four weeks. Lalli's counsel and senior advocate K KVenugopal said he would respond to the Centre's charges in three weeks.
Venugopal said Lalli had been targetted on the basis of unfounded allegations and sought early hearing of the reference to enable him to clear the doubts over his client's functioning as chief of Prasar Bharati. Under Article 317(1) of Constitution, Prasar Bharati chairman can be removed from office "by an order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour after the SC, on reference being made to it by the President, has on inquiry held in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf under Article 145, reported that the chairman ought on any such ground be removed".
Additional solicitor general Mohan Jain said Centre would file the statement of facts within four weeks. Lalli's counsel and senior advocate K KVenugopal said he would respond to the Centre's charges in three weeks.
Venugopal said Lalli had been targetted on the basis of unfounded allegations and sought early hearing of the reference to enable him to clear the doubts over his client's functioning as chief of Prasar Bharati. Under Article 317(1) of Constitution, Prasar Bharati chairman can be removed from office "by an order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour after the SC, on reference being made to it by the President, has on inquiry held in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf under Article 145, reported that the chairman ought on any such ground be removed".
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