New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (Aug 13, 2004) took strong exception to the Income Tax Department's decision to prosecute an approver in the Rs 900 crore fodder scam case, in which Railways Minister Laloo Prasad is an accused, and observed "Government wants to protect an important person".

Dipesh Chandak, who used to supply material to the Animal Husbandry Department of Bihar, was made approver in the fodder scam case by the CBI on August 28, 1998 and was granted pardon. However, 16 months later, the IT department had launched prosecution against him for filing false returns.

Chandak had, in 2002, challenged in the Supreme Court the IT Department's decision to prosecute him. However, during the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government's rule, both the CBI and the Department were seeking adjournment of the case time and again on the ground that both would decide a common approach on the issue.

A Bench comprising Justice S N Variava and Justice A K Mathur took strong exception when Additional Solicitor General K Pathak, appearing for the IT Department, stated that his clients have decided to proceed with the case against Chandok.

"It seems that the Government wants to protect an important person," the Bench observed.

It also observed that with the change of the Government at the Centre "it seems that the Government is changing its colours."