Tehelka probe in limbo after judge resigns

The resignation of Justice K. Venkataswami, who was heading the Tehelka probe, is being seen here as an attempt to sabotage the Tehelka probe.

BJP spokesman and former law minister Arun Jaitley spoke about the role played by the Congress in the latest development. "The Congress has sabotaged the probe," he said.

Congress leader and spokesman Anil Shastri, however, clarified the Congress position. "The resignation was the personal decision of the judge. We have nothing to say to that.

"But it was the government which had played the mischief. It was never serious about the Tehelka probe. It was always playing games. It had harassed Tehelka's Tarun Tejpal and his team."

Asked whether the Congress criticism about the appointment of Justice Venkataswami to a panel in the finance ministry was a criticism of the judiciary, he said that the Congress was pointing to the "impropriety" committed by the government, and it was not referring to the judiciary.

Tehelka's chief editor Tarun Tejpal, too, was not sure of the implications of the resignation of Venkataswami. He said that the whole episode exposed the male fide of the government.

"The government did not want the probe to be completed. We (Tehelka) insisted that the probe be completed at the earliest.

"That is why we insisted that the Venkataswami Commission probe the allegations that the government had made about the intentions of the Operation West End (the Tehelka expose into corruption in defence deals) to derail the economy of the country."

Samata Party spokesman Shambhu Shrivasatav said: "We want the probe to be completed, and we want that Justice Venkataswami not insist on his resignation." He blamed the opposition for its "reckless behaviour".

If Justice Venkataswami insists that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee accept his resignation, then the Tehelka probe could be put on ice.