Legal experts say role of Speaker limited in cash for vote scam probe
22 Jul 2008, 1944 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 22 (ANI); Legal experts today said that Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had a very limited role to play in ruling on the cash for vote scam that surfaced on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to a web site, noted lawyer Harish Salve said the three BJP MPs' - two from Madhya Pradesh Ashok Chhaviram Argal, 39, representing the Morena (SC) constituency and Faggan Singh Kulaste, 48, representing the Mandla (ST) constituency and Mahaveer Bhagora, 61, representing the Salumber (SC) constituency in Rajasthan - should have informed the police and lodged a formal complaint.

Describing bribery as a serious charge, salve further went on to say that the whole incident of the BJP charging the Samajwadi Party appeared to be a farce.

"Even if the MPs' wanted to display the money in the Parliament, they should approached the Speaker first. Moreover, these MPs' have made an allegation against the party and against an individual. Bribing an MP is a serious allegation," the website quoted Salve, as saying.

He said Chatterjee could not suspend the House or even order an inquiry before the trust vote.

Professor Ravi Varma Kumar was quoted by the rediff website as saying that the trust vote could not be postponed due to the BJP allegations.

He said that the three BJP MPs should approach the Privileges Committee for redressal, and added that in this instance, the Speaker could do nothing.

He said that what Chatterjee could do was to confiscate the money and bring the House under order. He could then have an all-party meeting to discuss the matter. (ANI)