MP seeks CBI inquiry against Assam Health Minister

New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI) A BJP Lok Sabha member from Bihar has moved the Supreme Court seeking for a CBI probe against Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma for his alleged links with terrorist outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and involvement in two cases of extortion.

Sukhdeo Paswan, MP, in his petition has alleged that the Congress minister from the North-eastern border state was booked under TADA in 1991 at Pan Bazar and Chandmari police stations.

In one case, Sarma is facing allegations of extorting Rs 90 lakhs, while in the other case, he is charged with extortion of Rs 10 lakhs from top bureaucrats and businessmen in the state in collusion with ULFA.

Sanction for his prosecution was given by the state in 1996.

Alarmed and shocked by the alleged anti-national activities of the minister, 47 MPs had lodged a written complaint against Sarma with the President seeking a high-level inquiry against him, the MP contended.

The case record of the two cases mysteriously disappeared and the State government moved the Guwahati High Court for dropping of the proceedings against the minister on the basis of a letter allegedly written by the victim in 2002 which was never produced by the state before any forum.

The BJP leader has also alleged in his petition that a person with dubious track record like Sarma should not be allowed to continue as minister to ensure free and fair investigation as national security and integrity are at stake.

The petition filed yesterday is likely to come up for hearing in January next year after the Supreme Court reopens on January 3 after winter vacations.

UNI