SC asks Government why it wants to remove Lalli

The Supreme Court today asked the central government to file a statement of facts stating why it wants to remove public broadcaster Prasar Bharati's CEO B S Lalli, who is currently under suspension.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the central government to file a statement of facts stating why it wants to remove public broadcaster Prasar Bharati's CEO B S Lalli, who is currently under suspension.

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The apex court bench of chief justice S H Kapadia, justice K S Radhakrishnan and justice Swatanter Kumar gave the government four weeks to file the statement stating the reason to remove Lalli.

Thereafter, the court gave Lalli three weeks to respond to the government's statement of facts.

The apex court direction came in the wake of the centre's reference to the court seeking its enquiry and opinion for Lalli's removal.

Additional solicitor general Mohan Jain appeared for the government.

Senior counsel K K Venugopal, who appeared for Lalli, told the court that his client was retiring in 2011 and wanted to clear his name of any charges before he demits office.

Lalli, who is facing corruption charges, was placed under suspension Dec 29, 2010.

The Shunglu committee report had noted that Prasar Bharati had sanctioned highly inflated bills for the host broadcasting of the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in October 2010.