A contempt petition was filed on July 3 against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers for rejecting sanction to prosecute cabinet minister Purshottam Solanki in an alleged Rs 400 crore fishing contract scam without taking Governor’s sanction as directed by the court. The high court had directed the Gujarat government in its March 30 order to decide the plea seeking sanction to prosecute Solanki under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, stating that Governor would be the competent authority to take a final decision with aide and advice of the Council. However, “by-passing” Governor Kamla, the Council of Ministers, including Modi, struck down the application for sanction on June 29, said Rajesh Mankad who is representing petitioner Ishaq Maradia. The letter conveying decision of the Council of Ministers refusing the permission was earlier received by Mankad. Maradia had alleged that Solanki by granting fishing contracts in 2009 without any tender process caused loss to the tune of Rs 400 crore to state exchequer. He also demanded filing of an FIR against the minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Another Blow For Modi, Council Of Ministers
A contempt petition was filed on July 3 against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers for rejecting sanction to prosecute cabinet minister Purshottam Solanki in an alleged Rs 400 crore fishing contract scam without taking Governor’s sanction as directed by the court.
