Karnataka Porn scandal: Only 3 BJP MLAs to face probe
Mangalore Today / CNN IBN
Bangalore, March 15: The Karnataka Assembly Committee appointed to probe the porngate case met on Thursday and decided to restrict the probe to just the three former BJP ministers caught watching porn in the state Assembly. No MLA from any other party will be investigated by the committee.
The committee has sought another week’s time and is expected to submit the report by March 20. The Speaker will take a final decision after the committee submits its report.
Former ministers - Lakshman S Savadi, CC Patil and J Krishna Palemar - were caught by a private TV channel watching porn on their mobile phones while proceedings were on in the Assembly on February 7.
The ministers had to resign, and cannot enter the Assembly till the committee completes its inquiry.
However, Chairman of the Legislature Committee Shrishailappa Bidarur said eight to ten other legislators had also watched sleazy clips in the Assembly.
"That may be eight to ten", Bidarur said when asked how many more MLAs had watched the adult content in the assembly.
"...while viewing the CCTV (footage)...it (eight to ten watching porn) came to the notice but yet the committee has not decided anything on that", he said.
"If necessary", Bidarur said when asked if these eight to ten MLAs would also be issued notice for deposition but later indicated it was unlikely, pointing out that the panel’s terms of reference concerned "about only these three people".
The committee on Thursday called two top officials of the Law Department for consultations with regard to legal aspects of the case and "what can be recommended", he said.
Bopaiah had constituted a seven-member House panel, comprising four members from BJP, two from the Congress and one from JDS to probe the episode, but the opposition had boycotted the committee alleging the move is an exercise to cover up the scandal.
The have maintained that there was no need for probe as the three MLAs have admitted to their actions.