The Congress has approached the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha seeking “expulsion” of Union minister Jitendra Singh over reports alleging that an absconding murder accused was present at his residence
The Congress has approached the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha seeking “expulsion” of Union minister Jitendra Singh over reports alleging that an absconding murder accused was present at his residence in March, and said it is a “serious” matter that adversely impacts Parliament’s dignity.
In a petition to the panel headed by L.K. Advani, the AICC cited media reports about presence of a murder accused of 2013 Kishtwar communal clashes Hari Kishan alias Kasooru at the residence of Mr Singh, who is minister of state in PMO.
It was also reported that a BJP MLA, who took Kasooru to Mr Singh’s residence, was also named in police records.
Mr 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 and 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 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.
