Govt taps CBI, IB for info on Pawar

The issue came to the fore on July 15, when, quoting extensively from the report of the Intelligence Bureau, Chavan had specifically stated that Pawar was directly or indirectly involved in the communal riots. “Since I was the Chief Minister at that time, I was informed about the contents of the reports. The Bureau had specifically blamed Pawar for his alleged involvement in the incidents,” Chavan had remarked.

Chavan had even informed the members of the fourth estate that since Pawar belonged to the Congress party, he did not think it proper to expose him since it would have adversely affected the party. On the other hand, Pawar had described the charges levelled against him by his arch political rival as politically motivated and baseless. Pawar even declared that he had decided to file civil as well as criminal defamation suit against the former Home Minister.

Addressing a party workers rally at Nanded, home town of Chavan, Pawar had blasted him for his completefailure to act against him (Pawar) if he was involved in the communal riots. “Was Chavan sleeping when I was instigating communal riots. All charges against me are politically motivated,” Pawar had told the gathering.

Expressing surprise over the charges, NCP spokesman Vasant Chavan said the decision of the alliance government to conduct an inquiry against Pawar was politically motivated. Vasant Chavan said S B Chavan was the Chief Minister then, and the then Prime Minster late Rajiv Gandhi had rushed former Home Minister Buta Singh to Aurangabad to inquire into the details. “If Pawar was really involved in the riots, then S B Chavan should not remained silent for more than 11 years. He should have brought the involvement of Pawar to the notice of the Prime Minister or the Home Minister,” Vasant Chavan pointed out. In yet another development, the alliance government has asked Director General of Police, Arvind Inamdar, to expedite the probe into the role of the Sharma brothers in the J J shootoutcase.

“Since Sharma’s brother had travelled in the defence plane with Sharad Pawar, who was then Defence Minister, the government felt that the probe should be completed in a time bound period,” the official added.

Deputy CM Gopinath Munde, who was then leader of Opposition in the Lower House, had brought to the notice of the House that Sharma brothers had travelled with Pawar. The then Defence Minister had already denied the charge, saying, he was not aware of the antecedents of the Sharma brothers.