CBI will probe conspiracy angle

No involvement of Advani in Jogi case: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday widened the scope of the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Ajit Jogi episode and pointed out that the CBI could probe into the allegations of "conspiracy" if it was required.

Responding to a query by senior Congress leader Arjun Singh whether or not Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and Law Minister Arun Jaitley were involved in hatching the conspiracy to nail down Jogi, Vajpayee denied Advani's involvement. "There was no conspiracy to trap Jogi," he said.

But the Prime Minister surprised everyone when he went ahead and declared that the investigative agency could look into the "conspiracy angle" of the case also to clarify any misgivings.

Obviously, Vajpayee's statement was intended to neutralise the Opposition campaign that Jogi fell prey to a "conspiracy" hatched at the top level of the government.

Apparently, the Prime Minister's statement may cause embarrassing moments for certain Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who admitted that Advani was aware of the plot to "trap" Jogi.

In sharp contrast to Vajpayee's defensive posture in the Lok Sabha on the Dilip Singh Judeo case, Vajpayee's statement in the Rajya Sabha on the issue reflected a well-considered move to wash off his hands from the controversy.

Describing the episodes involving Jogi and Judeo "blots on the democracy", he said both the leaders""one chief minister and another Union minister""had sent out wrong signals to new generation.

In a mood reflective of Vajpayee's statesmanship, the Prime Minister urged the Opposition to treat these issues beyond politics.

"Now the elections are over," he said, adding it was unfortunate day in his life to stand in the "House of Elders" and give clarification on the issues of corruption.

Vajpayee's tough posturing is being seen as a precursor to initiation of criminal proceedings against Judeo who was caught on camera taking Rs 5 lakh cash from the representative of a fake Australian firm.

However, Vajpayee explained in detail the reasons for delay in investigation into the Judeo case.

Expressing his concern over the delay in identifying Rahul, who is alleged to have paid the bribe to Judeo, Vajpayee said since there was no complainant in the Judeo case, it would be difficult to make out a case against the minister.

"Whereas in the Jogi case, the complaint was filed against Ajit Jogi, Amit Jogi and PR Khunte by BJP legislator Virendra Pandey who also deposited Rs 45 lakh with the police," Vajpayee said.

But Vajpayee assured that the CBI was made aware of the concern over the delay in the investigation. "Judeo's actions are behind the curtain and it has to be exposed," he said.