SC initiates proceedings against Prasar Bharati CEO Lalli

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court today initiatedproceedings on a Presidential reference for removal ofsuspended Prasar Bharati CEO B S Lalli and asked the Centreplace evidences of alleged irregularities committed by him inrunning the public broadcaster.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia asked thegovernment to file a statement of facts relating to Lalli''sirregularities within four weeks and asked the former publicbroadcaster chief to respond to it within next three weeks.

The bench passed the order on a Presidential reference tosack Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Senior Advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for Lalli, urgedthe court to expeditiously hear the reference in view of hisretirement in December this year.

Lali, who was suspended last December, was present in thecourt when the matter was being heard.

President Pratibha Patil had on December 21 lastordered Lalli''s suspension and made a reference to the apexcourt for his removal on the recommendation of the government.

According to the Prasar Bharati Act, the Chairman or aMember of PB can be removed only by an order of the Presidenton the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court holds aninquiry following a reference to it. (more) PTI AAC RKS