CM trying to 'cover up' misdeeds of Md Akhter: Jaya

Chennai, Feb 10 (UNI) Reiterating her charge against IPS official Md Shakeel Akhter, who had served as Personal Secretary to Union Minister S Regupathy, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today accused Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of trying to ''cover up'' the misdeeds involving the official.

Two days after Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had dismissed as imaginery, her charge that the official had leaked information concerning national security to Foreign High Commissions, Ms Jayalalalithaa, in a statement here wondered why the Chief Minister was trying to ''protect him'' when the Centre was remaining silent.

She also wanted to know as why the official was repatriated to the state cadre at ''lightning speed'', after RAW's needle of suspicion in the espionage charge pointed towards him.

Ms Jayalalithaa said it was still intriguing as to why the official was overnight repatriated to the state cadre and posted as DIG Kancheepuram range. ''The Centre and state governments owed an explanation,'' she said.

Instead of giving a direct and convincing reply to her queries, Mr Karunanidhi was trying to cover up the matter, by raising unncessary issues, like she had recommended Mr Akhter for President Award and he was deputed to the Central cadre, when she was Chief Minister, which were totally irrelevant to the present case.

What was the need for Mr Karunanidhi to reply to her charges when Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil or Mr Regupathy should have responded, she asked.

UNI