Name-dropping no evidence: Sorabjee

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 24. Any material in a case of corruption could be considered as ``evidence'' only after a fair probe, the Attorney- General, Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee, said here today.

``Mere gossip or name-dropping to tarnish someone's image do not form part of any evidence. Tomorrow somebody can say I know Sorabjee and get the work done for a price,'' he said. Asked whether those named in the Tehelka tapes could move a court of law, he said, ``it is for the individual to decide.''

He was speaking at a seminar - ``Democracy in India - Constitution Features and Ethical Dimensions'' organised by the Rotary Club of Delhi Midtown in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Other speakers included the former Lok Sabha Speaker and Nationalist Congress Party leader, Mr. P. A. Sangma, and senior journalist, Mr. B. G. Verghese.

Stressing the role of the press in uncovering corruption or administrative wrong doings, Mr. Sorabjee said the freedom of the press was ``unquestionable'' but added, ``the power of press freedom also entails great responsibility.

There is an ethical obligation for the press to serve pluralistic interest and not confine itself to showing beauty contests.''

Mr. Sangma criticised the Opposition parties' stand in disallowing discussion in Parliament on Tehelka expose.

``Parliament is like a watch dog and if it did not allow discussion on such a serious matter, pushing it aside claiming that a discussion was not needed... I fail to understand, what Parliament is meant for otherwise?``

``By doing so, Parliament which is meant to make laws, scrutinise budget and evolve a national consensuses on national and international policies, has diluted its own role,'' he added.

The three hurdles to democracy were the secrecy maintained by the Government, political instability and rampant criminalisation of politics, Mr. Sangma said adding decentralisation of power was the only solution.

``Power should be disseminated among the people, democracy otherwise will soon become a non-functional entity.''

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