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Former Law minister Shanti Bhushan, co-chairman of the joint committee to draft the Lok Pal bill, and his son Prashant Bhushan, also a member of the committee, are likely to be in a new controversy, just a day before the first Lok Pal joint draft committee meeting on Satuday.
Bhushan alleged that a journalist approached him for his comments for a news story on a CD which purportedly had his conversations with Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his former aide Amar Singh.
In the CD, Singh is allegedly talking to Yadav. After an exchange of greetings Singh introduces Bhushan to Yadav. Then, Bhushan allegedly suggests that a judge can be bribed.
Bhushan vehemently denied the conversation while talking to rediff.com. But, if the transcript is published on Saturday, then it is quite possible that Bhushan will find it difficult to continue as co-chairman of newly-formed joint committee.
The CD could be extremely damaging for prestige of the Indian judiciary, since it talks of corruption within the system. Even if it is fake or even if it doesn't gain credibility, it will vitiate the atmosphere when the process against corruption is just beginning.
Who leaked the CD at such an opportune time?
In the meanwhile, Bhushan has filed a complaint with the Delhi police, who have registered a case of forgery for the purpose of harming reputation.