Sting operation on lawyer figures in Assembly

Mumbai, Mar 17 (UNI) The sting operation on a leading lawyer who argued in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts conducted by a leading television news channel figured in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today.

The issue was raised by BJP member Devendra Phadanvis after the question hour even though his notice for a discussion or statement from the government was rejected by the Speaker. Mr Phadanvis said he was not committing contempt of court.

Referring to the lawyer Satish Maneshinde's comments about Sanjay Dutt being excluded from the purview of TADA, which were aired on television, Mr Phadanvis said,''If there are any doubts or suspicion over how the prosecution had handled actor Sanjay Dutt's case in the blasts trial, the case should be reopened like the Jessica Lall murder probe.'' Mr Maneshinde had appeared for Sanjay Dutt in the blasts case trial.

To which Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said , ''this was a sensitive matter and Crime Branch will probe it.'' UNI