Arun Jaitley: Will be surprised if any judge agrees to probe Snoopgate

"I will be very curious to know the name of the Judge who has agreed to 'lend' himself to the UPA. I will be surprised if there is one. I hope, for the cause of judicial dignity, no one agrees to be a part of this desperate exercise", said BJP leader Arun Jaitley. 

(TOI)


NEW DELHI: Amid indications that the outgoing UPA government was keen to appoint a judge to head the inquiry into Modi government's alleged illegal surveillance on a woman architect, BJP suggested that any judge who associates himself with the "desperate exercise" will do so at cost of his reputation.


The observation, interpreted in political circles as a cautionary advice, came against the backdrop of mounting indications that the UPA government would like to finish the job of instituting a judicial inquiry into the illicit surveillance allegedly at the instance of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. The UPA government set up a judicial probe during the run up to LS polls but has not been able to find a judge for the job. The delay has triggered speculation that a couple of retired SC judges who were approached by the UPA government turned down the proposal to lead what BJP has denounced as a politically motivated exercise.

Jaitley repeated the charge that the Snoopgate probe was a "political and malafide exercise', He also emphasized that that the UPA regime was a lame duck government, and that polling in 438 parliamentary constituencies was already over. "In a fortnight, the results will be out and a new government will be in"".

Sources said the government had shortlisted the name of a HC judge who would head the commission and the home ministry is like to make the announcement very soon once the Cabinet makes the required changes in the terms of reference. Law minister Kapil Sibal had said last week that the government would soon announce the name of the judge. The terms of reference had provided that the commission will be headed by a judge of the Supreme Court or the chief justice of a High Court.

Meanwhile, senior officials said it would be an exercise in futility. They said if a BJP-led government comes to power, the new cabinet could overturn the decision.

Section 7 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act says, "The appropriate government may, by notification declare that a commission (other than those appointed in pursuance of a resolution passed by Parliament) shall cease to exist, if it is of the opinion that the continued existence of the commission is unnecessary." Such a notification can be issued following a cabinet decision.