'File status report on action taken'

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to file a status report on the action taken against those who had allegedly attempted to bribe BJP MPs during the trust vote in July 2008.

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to file a status report on the action taken against those who had allegedly attempted to bribe BJP MPs during the trust vote in July 2008.

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The MPs were apparently offered bribe to vote in favour of the UPA government during the motion. The MPs had displayed wads of currency votes in the Parliament and accused "floor managers" of the UPA government.

Acting on a PIL filed by former chief election commissioner (CEC) JM Lyngdoh, a SC bench asked for the report while issuing notices to the Centre and Delhi Police commissioner.

Senior counsels Rajeev Dhawan and advocate Prashant Kumar, appearing for Lyngdoh, claimed before the bench that the appropriate authorities had failed to initiate action against the alleged offenders.

Lyngdoh sought court directions to the government to set-up an independent SIT to conduct the probe in a time-bound manner into the alleged cash-for -vote scam.

The former CEC has contended that the SIT chief should be given absolute powers and independence to choose the best officers to complete the probe in six months.