The Centre today rubbished in the Supreme Court allegations that sacked Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian was asked to “go soft” on the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case.
“The main allegation is that the prosecutor was asked to go soft. I myself have examined the papers. There is no truth in it,” Attorney General Mukul Roghatgi, appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), told the court.
Rohatgi then sought a week’s time to file a counter affidavit on behalf of the government and the agency on the PIL which has alleged that Government was exerting pressure on the SPP Rohini Salian to “go soft” on the accused.
Earlier on September 11, the apex court had sought a response from the Centre and the agency on the PIL.
The PIL, filed by social activist Harsh Mander, has accused NDA government of trying to interfere with the functioning of the prosecutor in the case by exerting “pressure” on her to “go soft” on the accused. It alleged that the executive was attempting to influence the judicial system.
It has alleged that NIA officials had pressured the erstwhile SPP “presumably” under instructions from their “political masters”.
Salian, who was SPP in the case, had alleged that an NIA officer had told her to go soft on the accused. She had also claimed that the same officer had told her that she would be replaced. Salian is no longer on NIA’s panel of lawyers.
( Source – PTI )
