After the BJP, it’s the Congress’ turn now to move the lok Sabha Ethics Committee. The Congress has approached the panel seeking “expulsion” of Union Minister Jitendra Singh over reports alleging that an absconding murder accused was present at his residence last month. It said it is a “serious” matter that adversely impacts Parliament’s dignity.
The move comes close on the heels of the BJP complaining to the panel about Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship. The panel had served notice to Rahul, who replied on March 23.
In a petition to the panel headed by lK Advani, that is also examining the complaint against Rahul, the AICC cited media reports about presence of a murder accused of 2013 Kishtwar communal clashes Hari Kishan alias Kasooru at the residence of Singh, who is Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office.
It was also reported that a BJP MlA, who took Kasooru to Singh’s residence, was also named in police records.
When contacted, Jitendra Singh dismissed the allegations, saying “as elected representatives, we are expected to meet any public deputation that seeks appointment and this particular deputation was led by three MlAs including one ex-Minister of Jammu & Kashmir who came to present a memorandum regarding demand for scheduled tribe status.”
He outright rejected the Congress charge that he “sheltered” the accused. Earlier too, he had denied any connection with Kasooru.
Submitting copies of the newspaper reports as well as the purported case documents, AICC legal Department Secretary KC Mittal alleged that the conduct of the Minister in allowing the wanted accused to surface at his residence and having a photograph with him was “unethical”.
“The facts in public domain are of serious nature, having adverse impact on the dignity of Parliament, a prime Constitutional institution,” the AICC said in the petition.
“It is unbelievable that Singh had no acquaintance or familiarity with Kasooru, more so, when he (Kasooru) is a local BJP leader of Paddar, which is part of his Parliamentary constituency and has campaigned for him and other BJP leaders. Kasooru was neither a stranger nor an outsider to Singh.
“...It is a clear case of giving protection to an accused person, who is involved in serious crimes. This act of Singh is totally unethical and contrary to high standards of morality, dignity, decency and value in public life as required under the Code of Conduct of a Member of Parliament,” the AICC alleged in the petition.
In its complaint, the AICC claimed that Kasooru, a local leader from Paddar and nine others were accused in an FIR of “murdering” a 52 year-old-lassa Khandey during the 2013 communal riots that took place in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir in 2013.
The AICC urged the panel to “take cognizance of the facts” and the evidence annexed and “expel” Union Minister Singh as MP or pass any other order, which may be considered appropriate keeping in view the nature of allegation.