Encounter report 'leak': BJP moves privilege notice against Baghel

Raipur: The opposition BJP on Monday moved a breach of privilege notice against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over the alleged "leak" of a report of a judicial commission that probed an alleged encounter in 2012 in south Bastar region wherein 17 people were killed.

The alleged encounter took place on the intervening night of June 28-29, 2012 between Sarkeguda (Bijapur district) and Silger and Chimlipenta villages (neighbouring Sukma district).

Soon after Baghel tabled the judicial probe report in the state Assembly, senior BJP MLA and former chief minister Raman Singh said the findings of the panel were already "leaked" in the media.

"How can such an important report be leaked outside while the House was in session? Members of this House should have been informed about the report and it should have been tabled in the house. Instead, we are getting to know about if from newspapers," he said.

Singh and other BJP members claimed the report was submitted to the state government a month ago.

Accusing the chief minister of ignoring the House, Singh said, "This amounts to breach of privilege of members and contempt of the Assembly."

He then moved a breach of privilege notice against Baghel and secretary of the General Administration Department, and demanded a discussion over it.

Supporting him on the issue, other BJP members, led by Leader of the Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik also demanded a discussion on the breach of privilege notice.