CBI response to Tehelka reporter¿s charges

IN Media Freedom | 26/08/2002

The CBI refutes allegations made by Kumar Badal of Tehelka. The rebuttal, and the original letter, with specific charges.

CBI RESPONDS TO TEHELKA REPORTER¿S CHARGES

The CBI refutes allegations made by Kumar Badal of Tehelka. The rebuttal, as made to the Hindustan Times, and the original appeal by Kumar Badal, with specific charges.

BASELESS CHARGES

August 18, 2002

This refers to Emergency 2002 (August 13). It is slanderous for Kumar Badal to say that the CBI implicated him in a false case because he is working for Tehelka. The case was registered by the UP police and it was referred to the CBI by the state government, considering its inter-state ramifications and gravity endangered wild animals were killed for videography. The CBI filed a complaint against Badal and two others on July 22 on the basis of substantial evidence gathered during investigation. The case is pending trial in the designated trial court.

Badal was sent on July 7 to judicial custody where he is under the charge of the jail authorities. It is wrong to say that the treatment meted out to him in jail was at the behest of the CBI. Also, at no

stage has the Saharanpur police or the CBI claimed to have recovered any tape. However, the investigation has found that videotape was, indeed, made with the help of the video camera provided to poachers by Badal. Recovery of the video camera from the poachers corroborates this. The charge that the CBI has sought adjournments in the case is incorrect. In fact, one of the adjournments was sought by Badals counsel and the other adjournment was due to lawyers strike.

During the custodial interrogation of Badal all legal procedures were observed. He was allowed to contact his wife as well as lawyers. He was regularly sent for medical examination during which he did not complain of any ill-treatment. Besides, the CBI allowed two lawyers of his choice to be present during his interrogation.

Ashwani Kumar, Joint Director, CBI, Delhi

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