Commission to probe "snoopgate' to be in place by May 16: Govt

A judicial commission to probe 'snoopgate' allegedly involving Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be in place before the Lok Sabha poll process comes to an end on May 16, the government asserted today rejecting questions raised by the BJP over it.
The assertion by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Law Minister Kapil Sibal evoked a sharp reaction from BJP which said it reflects "arrogance" of UPA which, he claimed, is being voted out of power soon.
The government had decided four months back to set up the inquiry commission but the process has got delayed reportedly because of its inability to zero in on a judge.

"The Cabinet had taken the decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to probe the incident of snooping on a woman in Gujarat. We will soon appoint the judge....Before May 16," Shinde told a press conference in Shimla.
The case involves snooping of a woman by the Gujarat authorities allegedly at the behest of Modi.
Shinde was asked whether the appointment of a judge in the midst of Lok Sabha elections would not amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

"It will not as the decision had been taken by the Union Cabinet much before the model code of conduct came into force," he said.

The Union Cabinet had decided on December 26, 2013 to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe charges of spying on a woman in 2009, triggering a political row.
"I am worried. The way the Chief Minister of Gujarat had snooped into the life of a woman, I am really worried what will happen to the women of the country if he becomes the Prime Minister," Shinde said.
In New Delhi, Law Minister Kapil Sibal also said that a judge will be appointed by March 16.
He rubbished the contention by BJP leader Arun Jaitley that he would be "surprised" if there is a judge who has "agreed to 'lend' himself to the UPA".

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said EC would be approached if the announcement is made during the polls.