Audio cassette is doctored, alleges Amarinder's Counsel

Chandigarh, Sep 13 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's counsel today described as ''doctored and ante-dated'' the audio-cassette of the reported conversation with the CM's media advisor cited in support of the charge of attempt to ''buy over'' the petitioner into withdrawing a election petition.

The petition is being re-heard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Justice Satish Kumar Mittal after it was sent back to the High Court by the Supreme Court on an appeal filed by the petitioner Harkirat Singh, a voter from Patiala Town constituency of Punjab Vidhan Sabha belonging to Shiormani Akali Dal (Badal).

It had been alleged during the previous hearing that Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, the media advisor to the chief minister, had met the petitioner in presence of some other persons and had offered allurements to make him withdraw the petition.

During the inconclusive cross-examination of the petitioner, the counsel for the chief minister referred to the alleged conversation Harkirat Singh had with Chahal wherein the former had stated that ''nothing could be done now as even the replication had been filed.

Now only the high command or Badal Sahib could do anything.'' The petitioner had contended that the conversation took place on September 1, as per Harkirat's own admission while the replication was filed in the court only on September 23, which goes to prove that the tape was doctored and ante-dated, the counsel for the chief minister pointed out.

The counsel for Amarinder Singh also said the petition had been brought up on trumped up charges at the bidding of Shiormani Akali Dal chief Prakash Singh Badal against whom serious charges of corruption along with others, had been leveled during the poll campaign in 2002 general election by the respondent.

However, the petitioner said it was not correct to say that the election petition had been preferred at the behest of Mr Badal or for that matter to impute motives.

Responding to another question, Harkirat Singh said the allegation about expenses of poll posters was based on the information collected from the concerned printing press, but could not say if he had sought any quotations or other information.

The cross examination would resume on September 27.

UNI XC JN YA HS1957