Oppn demands ouster of ex-judge from chitfund probe panel

Demands to restrain retired judge of Orissa High Court Justice M M Das from probing further into the chitfund scam in the state, mounted today with opposition parties raising the issue both inside and outside the Assembly.
The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress soon after the House assembled following two adjournments over the Odia language issue.
"We demand resignation of Justice M M Das from the head of the judicial panel probing into the chitfund scam or the state government remove him immediately," Mishra said.
As Speaker Niranjan Pujari refused to give a ruling as demanded by Mishra, Congress members rushed to the Well of the House and raised anti-government slogans demanding Justice Das' resignation.

The House witnessed four adjournments over the opposition's demand.
Though the issue was raised by Congress members, BJP MLAs also supported them by standing at their seats.
An all party meeting convened by the Speaker to resolve the issue also failed to break the logjam.
The opposition members continued to stick to their demand and finally staged a walk out as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik did not give a statement on the matter as demanded by them.