Monday, April 18 2005 19:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking note of inconsistencies in the affidavits filed by the Defence Ministry in the Kargil scam, the Supreme Court today (Apr 18, 2005) said it was for the Government to initiate whatever action it deemed fit in the matter.

Amicus Curiae and senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said the Defence Ministry has filed almost contradictory affidavits but maintained that "serious offences have been committed".

"If somebody has committed a serious offence, what prevented the Defence Ministry from initiating even departmental proceedings leave apart the criminal case, which has been handed over to the CBI," he said.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice R C Lahoti and Justice G P Mathur said "either the Government does it on its own or, if necessary, we will pass appropriate orders".

It then posted the matter for further hearing immediately after the reopening of the courts after the summer vacation.

In the wake of its embarrassment over the perception that it had given a virtual clean chit to former Defence Minister George Fernandes, the Centre had decided to refer 23 Kargil deals including the casket purchase scam to the CBI, promising to take "strict action" against him, if found guilty.

The CBI, already probing into the purchase of Hand Held Thermal Imagers and Terminally Guided Munitions (Krasnapol) after the Tehelka expose, would look into the purchase of special ammunition for 155 mm guns for Rs 166.44 crores, spares for 155 mm guns for Rs 97.65 crores and special clothing and mountaineering equipment worth Rs 95.15 crores.