PC stands by second affidavit in Ishrat case
1 March 2016 10:57 PM GMT
Unfazed by BJP’s attacks, former Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday stood by the second affidavit in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, insisting it was ‘absolutely correct’ and as the minister “I accept the responsibility”.
The former FM expressed disappointment over former Home Secretary GK Pillai distancing himself from the affidavit issue despite being ‘equally responsible’. Pillai had said the decision to change the affidavit was taken at the “political level”.
Replying to a host of questions on the affidavit issue, Chidambaram said that the second affidavit in the case was filed as the first was ‘ambiguous’. He said that it was his ‘duty’ to correct the affidavit which was drafted without his approval and was being misinterpreted.
After consultations with the Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau and other officers, the second affidavit clarified what the real intention of the central government was, he said.
Home Ministry to examine files
The Home Ministry is all set to examine files relating to the controversial Ishrat Jahan case after former Home Secretary GK Pillai said ex-Home Minister P Chidambaram had changed an affidavit, which originally described Ishrat and her slain aides as LeT operatives.
“We are trying to locate files relating to Ishrat Jahan case. We are yet to get all files as some of these are yet to be traced,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
The official said re-look of the Ishrat Jahan files was necessitated following the statement of the former Home Secretary. “We are looking at the files keeping in view that new facts have come to light,” he said.
Pillai on Sunday claimed that as Home Minister during UPA government, Chidambaram had recalled the file a month after the original affidavit was filed in Supreme Court.
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