The Supreme Court on Monday sought factual details about the allegations of “irregularities” against suspended Prasar Bharati CEO B.S. Lalli on the Presidential reference for his ouster.
While hearing the Presidential reference, a mandatory exercise for the removal of the CEO of the public broadcaster under the scheme of Prasar Bharati Act, a bench of Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar gave three weeks to the government to submit the details. The reference for his removal was made in view of serious allegations of acts of commission and omission by him in the running the affairs of the Prasar Bharati, cited in the report of the CAG.
The ministry of information and broadcasting had made a recommendation to his suspension to the Prime Minister in the backdrop of the “indictment” of Mr Lalli by the national auditor in its report.
Pending the reply by the Supreme Court on the reference, the President had placed Mr Lalli under suspension in December 21 2010 on the recommendation of the Cabinet.
Besides, alleged irregularities pointed out by the CAG in running of the Prasar Bharati, serious allegations were also made against him with regard to the awarding a contract for telecast and broadcast of Commonwealth Games to a UK-based company SIS Live, which is presently under investigation of the Shunglu Committee.
As per the provisions of the Prasar Bharati Act, the chairman and the members of the Prasar Bharati Board could only be removed after the Supreme Court inquiry into the matter on the Presidential reference as the top court had to give its opinion to the President whether a case is made out for their removal or not.