Barak deal: 'Produce evidence against George Fernandes'

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday challenged the Centre to produce evidence against former defence minister George Fernandes against whom the CBI has filed an FIR in connection with Barak missile deal.

"We dare the government to produce a shred of evidence against them," BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters.

The BJP leader, whose party has accused ruling United Progressive Alliance of vindictiveness against National Democratic Alliance convenor Fernandes, claimed the case against Fernandes would fall flat.

Jaitley voiced fears that registration of cases against former military officials and the former defence minister "without evidence" could hit defence procurement.

"If baseless cases are filed against former admirals and defence ministers without a shred of evidence, the process of defence procurement will suffer. People will then refuse to take responsibility for defence procurement," he said.

In separate comments, Jaitley said his party would welcome moves for re-introduction of tough anti-terror laws, citing media reports that there has been a recommendation to the government to bring in a new Prevention of Terrorism Act-type legislation.

The former law minister said convictions in the 1993 Mumbai blast cases have been possible only because of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

He, however, expressed doubts that the government would accept the reported recommendations. "This government lacks politial will to accept it," the BJP leader said.