Don't move court on PM in coalgate: AG to govt

There is no need for the government to move any court seeking prevention of registration of a formal police cases against PM Manmohan Singh in the coal scam, its top law officer has advised. HT reports.

There is no need for the government to move any court seeking prevention of registration of a formal police cases against PM Manmohan Singh in the coal scam, its top law officer has advised.

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Attorney General GE Vahanvati's opinion came in response to a reference from the home ministry seeking advice on how to deal with police complaints filed by BJP's youth wing activists against the PM.

Vahanvati is learnt to have stated that the government cannot move court merely on the basis of the apprehension that police complaints could be converted into FIRs against Singh.

The Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha filed complaints on September 20 in 790 police stations across the country holding Singh responsible for the scam, party sources confirmed.

The home ministry wanted Vahanvati to provide a solid answer to the BJP onslaught, but he said there was no "remedy available to seek omnibus protection" and each matter should be tackled separately.

According to the existing law, President, governors, and Chief Justice of India cannot be named in FIRs. The PM and ministers do not have this legal protection.