Congress for expulsion of Jitendra Singh from parliament

The Congress on Friday demanded the expulsion of minister of state (MoS) in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh from parliament on the charge of unethical conduct in public and meeting a person declared a proclaimed offender at his residence.

The Congress made the demand in a letter submitted to the Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee chairman and senior BJP leader L.K. Advani.

"The facts in the public domain are of serious nature having adverse impact on the dignity of the parliament, a prime constitutional institution.

"In 2013, communal violence took place in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The local police also registered an FIR. It is revealed that a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Paddar, namely Hari Krishnan alias Kasooru, and nine others are accused of murdering 52-year-old Lassa Khandey during the said violence," read the complaint.

The Congress also furnished a court order that directed and empowered the police to arrest the accused (Hari Krishnan).

"It is unbelievable that Dr Jitendra Singh has no acquaintance or familiarity with the said Hari Krishnan, more so when he is a local BJP leader of Paddar, which is a part of his parliamentary constituency and has campaigned for him along with other BJP leaders, including MLAs.

"Dr Jitendra Singh cannot be unaware of the fact that the said Hari Krishnan was involved in 2013 communal violence and declared a proclaimed offender," read the complaint.

It further added: "Dr Jitendra Singh met the local BJP MLAs and other BJP leaders, including Hari Krishnan, at his official residence in Delhi on or about March 13, 2016. It is therefore, requested that the committee may kindly take cognizance of the facts and expel him as member of parliament or pass any other order as may be considered appropriate keeping in view the nature of allegation."