BDA, notices
Sir: Ref the OP report (June 10) that show cause notices have been issued by BDA to 50 land and flat allottees whose names were associated with discriminatory quota (DQ). It may be mentioned that a case has been filed in the Orissa high court challenging Tara Dutt panel report pertaining to irregularities in allocation of plots and flats under DQ, which termed the Panel and its report as illegal (OP, May 21). Since the matter has been challenged in the high court, and decision by the court is pending, how can the BDA issue notices to the allottees? Let the matter be decided in the court first.
Ramnath Das, Nayapalli, BHUBANESWAR
Ishrat Jahan, MHA
Sir: The Ishrat Jahan case that shocked the entire country 11 years ago has taken a new twist and turn with the denial of permission by the Union home ministry to prosecute the four Intelligence Bureau officials including a former joint director Rajender Kumar who is alleged to be the main culprit in the fake encounter case. Ishrat Jahan, the 19-year-old college student along with three others was brutally attacked on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2004 and the case was handed over to the CBI for inquiry. The agency has submitted its final report to MHA in the case two years back, which is gathering dust. The premier agency has charged the former joint director with murder, but cannot go ahead further since grant of permission to prosecute the tainted four IB officials rests with the MHA. The age-old provision of section 197 of CrPC seems being misused now-a-days. It gives immense power to the appointing authority including permission to prosecute. Hence, it is crystal clear that the 11-year-old case will not go further, as the CBI cannot file charge sheet in the absence of a permission for prosecution. The victim needs justice and the culprit needs to be punished, which seems to be a distant dream for the family of deceased Ishrat Jahan. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Ratikanta Mahapatra, Courtpeta Square, BERHAMPUR
Myanmar, Pak
Sir: The successful operation carried out by the Indian army in Myanmar is a paradigm shift in India’ foreign and military policy. While the armed forces have always risen to the occasion they now have the backing of a government that is decisive and determined. Pakistan accusing India of being irresponsible and imprudent exposes its hypocrisy and fear. India as a sovereign nation has an absolute right to defend and protect its territory and citizens against foreign aggression. The recent cross border operation has made this message loud and clear.
Manas Panda, Tulasipur, CUTTACK
