NK SINGH
The Madhya Pradesh Government on Thursday announced an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation to solve the mystery shrouding the death of a political worker at the residence of a leading Congress-1 MLA at Gwalior recently.
The Government decision, taken amidst reports that the State CID investigations had proved that it was not a case of suicide but a case of murder, caused unprecedented pandemonium in the State Assembly.
Slogan-shouting opposition stalled the proceedings of the House for over two hours, alleging that by handing over the case to the CBI at this stage, the Government was trying to shield the ruling party member involved in the case, Mr Ramashanker Singh.
The body of Mr Rajesh Bhatnagar was found in the compound of Mr Ramashanker Singh's bungalow Gweher on the night of March 30. The bullet that killed him was allegedly fired from Mr Singh's revolver.
The State Government's announcement regarding the CBI inquiry into the sensational case caused such an uproar that the House was adjourned for the day. one hour before its schedule.
The Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the House for two hours by shouting slogans and insisted on a statement from the government on the reasons behind the CBI inquiry, particularly its sudden volte-face. The Government, however, refused to state the reasons behind its move.
Chief Minister Motilal Vora had only last week categorically refused Mr. Ramashanker Singh's demand for a CBI inquiry into the case on the ground that the CID was competent to handle the case.
An agitated Opposition reminded the Treasury benches that even on Wednesday the Government had told the Assembly that the CID was investigating the case.
What had happened in less than 24 hours which forced the government to change its stand, the lead-er of the Opposition, Mr. Kailash Joshi wanted to know.
The State BJP chief Mr.Sunderlal Patwa, alleged that the arrival of the Congress-1 vice-president in the town on Thursday morning and his intervention had forced the Government to change its stand.
Mr Ramashanker Singh, who defected from the Lok Dal to join the ruling party soon after the last Lok Sabha election, is considered a protege of Mr Arjun Singh.
Asked to comment on the allegation made by Mr. Ramashanker Singh that he was being implicated in the case "due to political reasons" Mr Arjun Singh told newsmen here on Thursday that he was sure that the Chief Minister would not allow any police officer to misuse his power to implicate an MLA.
Earlier, reading a statement in the House, Mr Jaipal Singh the Minister of State for Home, said that the director of the medico-legal institute, Dr Heereshchandra had said in his interim report that in the absence of a ballistic report and examination of the weapon, he was unable to give any conclusive report in the case,
The leader of the opposition, Mr.Kailash Joshi, alleged that the decision to hand over the case to the CBI would demoralise the Madhya Pradesh police.
Thursday's pandemonium was unprecedented. Even the leader of the Opposition and the State BJP chief Mr.Sunderlal Patwa, joined in the slogan-shouting to disrupt the proceedings of the House.
Indian Express
April 25, 1986
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