Human trafficking: Notice to four MPs

Four parliamentarians, named by a suspect in the alleged human trafficking case involving suspended BJP MP Babubhai Katara, will be grilled by the Delhi Police. The police have seized at least 30 passports in raids across the country.

Notices have been issued to BJP MP Ramswarup Koli and three BSP members, Mitrasen Yadav, Mohammad Tahir Khan and Ashok Rawat, after investigators went through their travel records.

"Notices are being served to the parliamentarians according to the provisions of the CrPC asking them to join the investigation," said a Delhi Police spokesman.

Meanwhile, the BJP today said it would take strict action against Katara, who was arrested for alleged human trafficking, but added that it would demand similar action against the "tainted" MPs of other parties.

While party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said "strict action would be taken against" Katara, the BJP's parliamentary party spokesperson VK Malhotra said the BJP had planned a counter-offensive against the errant MPs of other parties.

At an all-party meeting with the Speaker ahead of the resumption of the budget session, Malhotra said the BJP would insist on referring complaints against other MPs to a parliamentary panel.