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Journalism of Courage
Even as the Centre is yet to take a final call about the fate of Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh,fresh evidence has emerged against Singh linking him to Hasan Ali,his associates Kashinath Tapuriah and his wife Chandrika Tapuriah. Based on the fresh facts,the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to examine Singh in connection with the fake passport issued to Ali.
The agency officials said they were likely to question Singh at Puducherry later this week where a team would be sent. Sources in the Central government said the decision on Singhs fate now rests with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,who has already received a report from the MHA about the entire affair. A final decision on whether to ask Singh to resign or not could be taken later this week,sources said. The LG has already offered to resign.
Singh,meanwhile,met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday,the second such meeting in the past four days.
Asked about the meeting,Chidambaram said,The LG is willing to make a statement to the ED. Home Secretary is working out modalities,which will be ready by today evening.
It was on the basis of Singhs recommendation letter to the then Minister of External Affairs (MEA) I K Gujral that Ali was issued a fake passport from the regional passport office at Patna. But the probe has now revealed that Singh,who has been claiming innocence and ignorance about the issue of the said letter,had also issued a similar recommendation letter to Alis associate Tapuriah and his wife. The passport to Tapuriah and his wife was issued from Kolkata regional passport office within a week in 1997. The agency has seized the letter and has learnt that Singh helped Alis associates as well.
Meanwhile,the Congress on Monday distanced itself from Singh saying the issue of his resignation was between him and the government. We,as a political party,dont hold any brief for anyone. The Puducherry Lt Governor has already explained his position. It is between him and the Government of India, said Congress spokesman Manish Tewari,adding that given that Singh held a constitutional position the party should not be getting into it.
