Srinagar, July 20: A day after the Jammu and Kashmir Government accorded sanction to prosecute him, senior Congress leader Abdul Gani Vakil Friday wrote a letter to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi accusing the Public Health Engineering Minister Taj Mohiuddin of “violating party’s constitution” by recommending action against him.  Vakil also accused Taj and his kin of resorting to “widespread irregularities” while terming government’s action against him as a “political vendetta to appease the minister and to cover up his misdeeds.”
 “I have written a letter to Sonia Ji today about the recent developments and have demanded stern disciplinary action against Taj for violating the constitution of the party as well as damaging the image of party,” Vakil told Greater Kashmir. “The High Command had already taken notice of the development (allegations and counter allegations) in the past and had sought explanation from me and Taj on 17th  February. Without waiting for the decision of the High Command, he violated the constitution of the party by asking the coalition government to act against me. I will take further course of action after decision of Party High Command in the matter.”
 Vakil said: “I am ready face the court and will submit whatever documents I have related to the case.”
 The war of words between Vakil and Taj began in last week of January this year after the former shot a letter to Congress High Command, accusing widespread corruption under ministries held by Taj.
 Vakil demanded an “in-depth inquiry into the milk factory which is allegedly built on state land and a posh bungalow at village Chak-lalushah and also digging of eight tube wells by government agencies in the same land due to the influence of the Minister.”
 “I am surprised over the manner in which I was targeted for raising voice against corruption and demanding inquiries into the various corruption charges exposed by the media and also inquiries about the illegal occupation of more than 342 kanals of private land by three daughters of PHE minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din at village Chak-Lalushah (Tawi Island), Jammu,” Vakil said.
 Lashing out at the government for sanctioning his prosecution, Vakil termed the action against him as a” political vendetta to appease PHE minister and to cover up his misdeeds as reported by various newspapers during the past.”
 “While there is no evidence against me, the government is sleeping over various cases in which the State Vigilance Organization (SVO) has sought sanction for prosecution of tainted bureaucrats who are allegedly involved in various scams like Gulmarg Land Scam, JAKFED scam, illegal appointments and irregularities in various departments, land grabbing by a nexus of politicians and land mafia,” he claimed .
  “I appeal the chief minister Omar Abdullah to immediately accord sanction against all those whose files are pending for sanction over the years,” he said.
 The State Law Department had granted sanction to prosecute Vakil for allegedly leveling “malicious, baseless and defamatory allegations” against the Minister for Public Health Engineering Taj Mohiuddin. The government has asked the public prosecutor, Jammu to file a complaint against Vakil under section 500 of the RPC before the Sessions Judge Jammu.
 In February this year, Taj had met the chief Minister and his political advisor Davinder Rana and desired that the state government should initiate legal action against Vakil for leveling “baseless” against him.
 “Taj had then sought prosecution of Vakil under section 198-b of criminal procedure code (prosecution for defamation against public servant in respect of their conduct in the discharge of public functions) and section 500 and 501 (a) of Ranbir Penal Code, “sources disclosed.
 Despite repeated attempts, Taj Mohiuddin could not be contacted for comments.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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