JD(U) seeks CBI probe into ‘forged’ letter

Janata Dal (United) member Prabhunath Singh today demanded a CBI inquiry into a ‘‘forged’’ letter, reportedly written by the then Cabinet Secretary on Air India disinvestment and referred to by Congress leader Priyranjan Dasmunsi during the NDA regime. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Singh said despite the letter being fake, no action was taken against Dasmunsi. He sought to know if the matter would be handed over to the CBI for investigation.

This sparked an uproar. Dasmunsi, who was present in the House, maintained that the then Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi had ruled that privilege proceedings in the House cannot be referred to the CBI. He also contended that as the 13th Lok Sabha had been dissolved, the 14th Lok Sabha cannot go into matters pertaining to it, except for pending bills.