Press Releases Archive

The Loksatta Party today welcomed the the Supreme Court judgment quashing Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act that mandates the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take prior sanction of the Government before investigating an officer of the rank of joint secretary and above in corruption cases.

In a media statement, Loksatta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan recalled that the Loksatta for long has been demanding the repeal of the patently unconstitutional section. In a presentation to a Parliamentary Committee on amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act recently, the party reiterated its demand.

Dr. JP pointed out that when the courts held what was earlier known as the single directive unconstitutional, the Government of India incorporated Section 6 A in the DPE Act and grabbed the power to interfere in crime investigation.

Now that the section has been quashed, Dr. JP said, the CBI is free to investigate cases of corruption against any functionary without prior Government consent.

“This blow in favor of rule of law will ensure that all public servants are treated alike.”

Dr. JP said that Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code which mandate prior Government sanction for proceeding against corrupt Government officials should also be amended.

These sections, Dr. JP said, have been routinely abused by successive Governments to shield corrupt officials. Such a power, if needed, should be transferred to the Lokpal/Central Vigilance Commission at the national level and the Lokayukta at the State level, Dr. JP suggested.

India has lost a great agricultural scientist, benefactor of farmers and patriot in the passing away of Dr. Alapati Appa Rao, said Loksatta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in a media statement today.

Dr. JP described Alapati as one of the pioneers of the green revolution in the country. The great intellectual led a life of simplicity and dedicated his life for the betterment of farmers’ conditions. Unto the last, Alapati strove to promote biotechnology and ushering in of retail chains to improve farmers’ incomes.

Dr. JP recalled that he had known Alapati for 34 years. He had guided and blessed the Loksatta many times when it launched struggles on behalf of the farmer.

Conveying his condolences to Alapati’s family members and innumerable followers, Dr. JP said that a real tribute to him lies in encouraging such scientists and pursuing policies that help increase farmers’ incomes.

Loksatta Party farmers’ wing convener P. Bhaskara Rao and Telangana party Co-convener V. Vijayender Reddy visited Alapati’s home in Vijayanagar Colony and laid a wreath on his body.