BJP welcomes Supreme Court deadline to government

New Delhi -  The Supreme Court judgment setting a three-month deadline for the government for sanctioning the prosecution of public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act was a slap in the government's face, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Tuesday.

“BJP welcomes Supreme Court's judgment. This judgment is a slap in the face of Dr. Manmohan Singh government,” senior party leader Balbir Punj told reporters.

"It is a a judgment which will have far reaching consequences, in the citizens' fight against corruption and in empowering the citizens," he said.

He called it the second major embarrassment for government, and said the first was the Supreme Court striking down the appointment of P.J. Thomas as chief vigilance commissioner.

“The first embarrassment this government faced was when prime minister had cleared Mr. (P.J.) Thomas's candidature as the CVC chief,” he said.

Punj also accused the government of not taking action against those involved in major corruption cases.

“Many people who are guilty and accused of acts of omission and commission are going scott free,” he said. “In the 2G case, so far only (A) Raja has been sent to jail, other people who occupy more important posts in government and were equally responsible are free”.

“I am sure, this latest judgment will help the law catch them,” he said.

The Supreme Court Tuesday gave the government a three-month deadline for sanctioning public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The apex court said this while allowing a petition by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy saying the prime minister was sitting on his application seeking sanction to prosecute former telecom minister A. Raja for his alleged involvement in the 2G scam.

An apex court bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly also said the time period would be extended by another month if the government wanted to take the opinion of the attorney general.