Irrigation scam: Somaiya seeks new investigating officers

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya today demanded that officers of the anti-corruption bureau, Raigad District Collectorate, and the Economic Offences Wing, who are probing the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam in Maharashtra, should be replaced.

Somaiya made the demand when he met Home Minister R R Patil here.

"If the government is unable to complete the probe within three months then the probe should be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation," he told reporters later.

The Bombay High Court too had expressed disappointment at the slow and shoddy investigation, he said.

The BJP leader said Patil assured him that he would soon convene a meeting of senior officers to discuss the issue.