Jaipur: Opposition BJP on Thursday staged a walk
out from Rajasthan Assembly demanding resignation of Home
Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal following recovery of
cartridges from his baggage at IGI airport in New Delhi last
month.
Former Home Minister and BJP legislator Gulabchand
Kataria raised the issue in the House blaming Dhariwal of
misusing his position and blotting the state's image by trying
to carry the cartridges illegally.
He said, "Dhariwal violated security norms and was let
off by the security authority there which raises question mark
even on the CISF officials who were satisfied by the
clarification of Dhariwal as a minister."
Responding to the allegation, Dhariwal informed the House
that the cartridges were recovered in his baggage during the
security check and it all was by mistake, unknowingly, and he
was ready to face any enquiry or criminal case if it is found
to be an intentional act.
Dhariwal also said that he was allowed to board the same
flight he was scheduled to take, after he gave the CISF in
written that he and his son have valid arms license and he
will produce the relevant documents on reaching Jaipur.
"I was allowed to board the flight after a written
assurance that I will be submitting the documents on reaching
Jaipur," he said.
However, the opposition BJP, not satisfied with the
response, sought a reply from chief minister Ashok Gehlot and
demanded Dhariwal's resignation even as they staged a walk
out.
12 live cartridges were found in Dhariwal's hand baggage
when he was to board a flight to Jaipur from the IGI airport.
The cartridges were found during security check at the
airport when he was to take a Jet Airways flight on January
30, airport sources said.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 18:07