New Delhi: Delhi Lokayukta on Wednesday decided to
initiate a probe against eight MCD councillors who were
purportedly seen demanding money for allowing illegal
construction in their areas in a sting operation by a news
channel.
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin issued notices to the
councillors asking them to respond to the allegations by
January 16.
The decision to issue notices and initiate the probe came
after the Lokayukta examined all the footage as well as
original recordings of the sting operation provided by a
news channel.
Lokayukta had also recorded statements of two
reporters which had carried out the sting operation.
"Having viewed the DVD recordings of the conversation of
the reporters with councillors, as also perusal of the
transcripts of the same and the programme as telecast brings
out the involvement of the respondent councillors, who have
been separately found in the sting operation to be negotiating
the terms of illegal gratification in consideration for
ensuring carrying out of illegal construction," Sarin said in
an order.
Eight councillors -- six from BJP and two from Congress,
including a former Mayor -- were caught on camera in the sting
operation, following which they were suspended from their
parties.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 21, 2011, 22:18