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Justice Venkataswami to
head Tehelka probe

"I have accepted the offer to head the commission after the Chief Justice of India consulted me," Justice Venkataswami told PTI from Madras over the telephone.

Chief Justice A S Anand, after expressing inability to nominate a sitting hudge of the Supreme Court to head the commission, had conveyed to the government that Justice Venkataswami, who retired last year, was his choice for the probe.

Law Ministry sources said the notification regarding setting up of the one-man commission, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 16, would be issued on Saturday.

Justice Venkataswami said, "Though I have accepted responsibility to head the commission, I have not yet seen the terms and reference of the inquiry."

"I expect the terms and reference of the commission to be handed over to me on Saturday. After perusing the same, if I want some modification in that, I will get in touch with the government," he said.

Justice Venkataswami, who is expected to reach Delhi mid-next week, said the four-month time limit fixed by the government for completion of the probe could be sufficient.

"I hope the probe into the matter would be completed within the four-month time limit fixed by the government," he said.

On how he felt about the assignment at hand, the retired judge said, "I have not applied my mind to the subject at all and it will be too premature to comment on the issue."

The terms of reference of the commission, as approved by the Cabinet, are:
(A) To probe transactions relating to defence and other procurements referred to in the said video-tape and transcript to ascertain whether they have been carried out in terms of prescribed procedures and imperatives of national security.
(B) To inquire whether in any of the aforesaid procurements and transactions illicit gains have been made by persons in public office, individuals or any other organisation as alleged and if so, to what extent.
(C) To suggest actions that may be taken in respect of the persons who may be found responsible by the commission for their acts of commission and/or omission in respect of the transactions referred to in terms of reference (A).
(D) To probe into all aspects relating to making of these allegations or any other matter which arises from or is connected with or incidental to any act of commission or transaction referred to in terms of reference (A) and (B).

PTI

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