PM tells MPs: Do not subvert justice

He spoke out against the growing tendency of holding discussions on the guilt or innocence of individuals in Parliament.

‘‘Not only is this contrary to rules, it subverts the rule of law. It also interferes with free trial,’’ he said, appealing to MPs that they should seriously ponder whether to stop this practice ‘‘in the interest of justice.’’

‘‘The guilty should be punished but it is the work of the court to evaluate evidence.’’ Categorical in denying interference in any CBI case, including those related to Ayodhya, the PM said: ‘‘My government has neither withdrawn the cases nor interfered with them.’’

‘‘My government believes that investigative agencies must have full autonomy to proceed with the matter as per law.’’

He told the House that ever since the Supreme Court judgment in the Vineet Narain case, the CBI director was no longer appointed by the government but by a committee headed by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner. The government’s interface with the CBI, he said, was limited only to providing budgetary support and exercising administrative superintendence.

For once, Vajpayee received full support from all his allies. TDP leader Yerran Naidu, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samata’s Prabhunath Singh told the Opposition that discussion on an issue like Ayodhya was a waste of time. The House, they said, should discuss instead issues like population control, unemployment, farmers’ problems and illiteracy.

Yerran Naidu said that Ayodhya had been discussed in the House 46 times since the Babri demolition in December, 1992.

The allies also felt that a discussion on the CBI’s credibility was bad for the morale of the agency.