BJP-led NDA used Phukan Commission to exonerate Fernandes: Congress

In Tehelka episode which put the country to shame Justice Venkatswamy was appointed as a Commission of Inquiry. The former having resigned, Justice Phukan took over. But Justice Phukan ordered that the Tehelka tapes should be sent abroad for forensic examination with a view to determining their authenticity. Justice Ventakasamy, on the contrary, had already found the tapes to be authentic. But the Phukan Commission reversed earlier orders passed by Justice Venkataswamy. What was the need to check the authenticity of tapes already declared authentic by Justice Venkatswamy? The BJP government kept on giving piece meal extensions to the Justice Phukan Commission for years although it was supposed to give its report in six months. In the meantime General Elections 2004 intervened. Thus BJP government used Justice Phukan in a circuitous way to take George Fernandes off the hook. As a result the country suffered while BJP managed to cling to power for next four years.

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