Monday, November 21 2005 19:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh Government today (Nov 21,2005) contended before the Supreme Court that former Chief Minister Mayawati could be prosecuted on the basis of the Central Vigilance Commission report which recommended such course in the Rs 175 crore Taj Heritage Corridor scam.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Government, submitted before a Bench headed by Justice Ruma Pal that the Apex Court has all powers to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law for prosecution of Mayawati on the recommendation of the CVC report.

However, it was opposed by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief's counsel K K Venugopal, who said before passing any order he has to be heard.

At this, the Bench, also comprising of Justice S B Sinha and Justice S H Kapadia, wanted to know from Venugopal why he should be heard at all before filing of the charge sheet.

Directing him to explain the position, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing to December 15.

Before adjourning the matter, the court even suggested that charge sheet could be filed in the case on the basis of the repavourably considered and we are hopeful of getting another extension from the Centre," Singh said.

Solicitor General G E Vahanvati told the court that the CVC report was in conformity with the report of the Investigating Officer.

Besides, Mayawati, the CVC also recommended prosecution of former State Environment Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui and former State Environment Secretary R K Sharma, both of whom have been named as key players in the scam by CBI.

Prosecution of three others Rajendra Prasad, Kamal Radhu and M Sharma have also been recommended by the CVC.

The Commission concurred with CBI in closing the cases against former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh D S Bagga, Mayawati's former personal secretary P L Punia, former Union Environment Secretary K C Mishra, former State Environment Secretary V K Gupta and S C Vali, MD of the PSU given the construction contract for the Heritage corridor.

An application seeking prosecution of Mayawati and others on the basis of the CVC report has also been filed by advocate Ajay Agarwal. He alleged that the Center was trying to protect the former Chief Minister for political and other extraneous considerations.

However, his plea was strongly opposed by the Solicitor General, who said Agarwal was attempting to mislead the court.

"Agarwal appears in this matter and makes allegations after allegations. It is a clear attempt to mislead this court," Vahanvati said adding the CBI had undertaken the investigation at the instance of the apex Court.