SC asks govt to file CBI report on suspended PB CEO B S Lalli

New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) The Supreme Court of India on
Friday directed the government to file the CBI, India's
premier investigating agency, report on the probe into alleged
irregularities committed by suspended Prasar Bharati CEO B S
Lalli in running the public broadcaster.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia
sought the report within six weeks.
It also asked Lalli to file his response in four weeks
on the statement of evidence filed by the government on
alleged irregularities committed by him in running Prasar
Bharati.
The court granted another four weeks to the government
to file its rejoinder to the response of Lalli and posted the
matter after eight weeks.
The Supreme Court had on February 14 initiated
proceedings on a Presidential reference for Lalli's removal
and asked the Centre to place evidence of alleged
irregularities committed by him.
The court had also asked the government to file a
statement of facts relating to Lalli's irregularities and
asked the former public broadcaster chief to respond to it.
Senior Advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for Lalli,
had urged the court to expeditiously hear the reference in
view of his retirement in December this year.
Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh
cadre, was suspended last December.
President Pratibha Patil had on December 21 last
ordered Lalli's suspension and made a reference to the apex
court for his removal on the recommendation of the government.
According to the Prasar Bharati Act, the Chairman or a
Member of Prasar Bharati can be removed only by an order of
the President on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme
Court holds an inquiry following a reference to it.
Lalli, 67, was suspended after allegations were
levelled against him for financial and administrative
irregularities in award of a contract for broadcast of the
Commonwealth Games to UK-based firm SIS Live.
Prasar Bharati was formed in 1997 as a public service
broadcaster. This is the first time that its CEO faces the
prospect of being removed from the post.
Lalli, who had assumed the CEO's post in December
2006, was indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission which
accused him of breach of parliamentary privilege, giving undue
favours to some broadcast companies and financial
mismanagement.
Reacting to the Presidential reference, Lalli had said
that "a lot of intrigue and mischief" was going on within the
organisation against him that was "abetted and encouraged" by
powerful elements from outside.