BK Prasad, the Union Home Ministry official who headed the probe into the “missing documents”, not only told witness the questions he would ask, but may have also fed him the answers, reported The Indian Express.
Prasad, however, issued a statement saying that there is no evidence to suggest the witness’ testimony was ‘tutored.’ He maintained that he had conducted a fair enquiry.
The Indian Express posted the audio of a telephonic conversation they overheard between Prasad and the witness, Ashok Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
Kumar was reportedly asked to say that he had not seen the documents. The alleged coaching of the witness raises big questions about the credibility of the ongoing probe.
Prasad went on to say that the person in question (Kumar) had been interrogated by him on 26 April, and the questions quoted from his alleged conversation were never posed to Kumar, neither were his answers ‘tutored.’
First of all, it is unethical to record my conversation, that also with another officer, without my permission and knowledge. Second, what is being quoted is only one side of the conversation.BK Prasad, MHA Official
Political War of Words
Former Home Minister, P Chidambaram, under whose tenure the files allegedly went missing, said The Indian Express report “comprehensively exposes the fake controversy” created by the Modi government on the two affidavits filed.
He said the report vindicated the position he had taken on the “missing documents” and established that his government had acted in a “transparent manner”.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, aiming his guns at the Congress said that the issue of the “missing documents” amount to “anti-national activity” and those involved will be held accountable.
All efforts are being made to find out the truth about the missing papers. It’s a criminal conspiracy and an anti-national activity. Anyone involved will not be allowed to go scot-free.Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
The internal Home Ministry probe report on the missing files was submitted on Wednesday. Only one file has been traced so far and two are still missing. The Home Ministry report will lead to further investigations by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.
The papers were allegedly misplaced or removed between 18 and 28 September 2009 when P Chidambaram was the Home Minister.
The papers which went missing include:
1) Office copy of the letter and enclosure sent by the then home secretary to the Attorney General on 18 September 2009.
2) Office copy of the letter sent by the then home secretary to the AG on 23 September 2009.
3) Draft affidavit as vetted by the AG.
4) Draft affidavit amended by the then home minister on 24 September 2009.
5) Office copy of the new affidavit filed with the Gujarat High Court on 29 September 2009.
Nineteen-year-old Ishrat Jahan and three others were killed in an alleged fake encounter in Gujarat in 2004. The Gujarat Police had then said that those killed were LeT terrorists who had come to Gujarat to assassinate then chief minister Narendra Modi.
Prove You’re Indian: MHA Tells RBI Applicant in Ishrat Case
Interestingly, the Home Ministry asked a Right to Information (RTI) applicant to prove he is an Indian before disclosing details about the BK Prasad-headed inquiry panel.
The RTI application was filed with the Ministry, seeking copies of reports submitted by the panel, besides notes related to an extension in service given to Prasad.
According to the rules, only Indian citizens can seek information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. But usually, proof of citizenship is not required to file an application under the transparency law.
(With PTI inputs.)
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