Pralhad Joshi may go to jail for his statements against Justice Michael D’Cunha: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Mangaluru: Minister for health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that if Justice Michael D’Cunha files a complaint, then the union Minister Pralhad Joshi may receive a jail term.
“Pralhad Joshi is already in trouble. We have already met the Governor, but we do not know what steps Justice Michael D’Cunha will take. Justice D’Cunha, who led the inquiry panel into the Covid scam, has the magistrate’s status. As per the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Pralhad Joshi may be punished if his arrogant statements are proved. Joshi is not supposed to speak against a judge in such a manner,” Rao told reporters here on Saturday.
Refuting BJP’s allegations that the inquiry into the Covid scam is politically motivated, Rao said that Justice D’Cunha is well-known as an honest judge. “The inquiry into the Covid scam was not initiated with any malice. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and our party submitted reports. Later, after we came to power, we set up an inquiry committee headed by an honest judge, and he submitted the first report. Very soon, he will submit the final report too. He has clearly mentioned various corruption and injustice issues in his first report. We will have to act as per the report of the commission, and we are doing it. Hence, the inquiry will continue as per law, and action will be taken as per the report,” he said.
Justice D’Cunha thoroughly reviewed the health department records before submitting a report, the minister said. “We did not create the contents of Justice D’Cunha’s reports. The commission has mentioned all lapses in its report, and further action needs to be taken. Let Pralhad Joshi understand that the IT, ED, and CBI are the agencies of the BJP, and they see only the opposition. The entire nation knows how those central agencies are troubling the opposition,” Rao said.
To a query, the minister said, let BJP leader Araga Jnanendra reply to the findings in the commission’s report, which suggested prosecuting BS Yediyurappa and the former health minister B Sriramulu under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the procurement of PPE kits and violations in the tender conditions. “BJP has no moral rights to speak. They are engaged in all ill-deeds by making religion a cover,” he said.
