SHIMLA, Oct. 20: The “sting operation” that had raised a fierce political storm in Himachal Pradesh three months ago turned out to be fake! The one-man Garg Inquiry Committee set up on the order of the Himachal High Court has submitted its report giving a clean chit to the then transport and tourism minister Mr GS Bali. The controversy that had provided ammunition to the Opposition, with the Assembly election round the corner, forced Mr Bali to resign from the Cabinet.
A leading national news channel had, in fact, for three days showed a few video clippings alleged to have been shot with a hidden camera at Mr Bali's birthday bash in Dharamshala.
The video showed Mr Bali and some senior officers dancing at the party with call girls in an indecent manner. The BJP launched a state-wide agitation alleging that the minister had “polluted” the state's culture and morality, and sprinkled Gangajal for “purification” of the district. Mr Bali, however, said that he had merely presented himself there for a while, accompanied by his wife, son, daughter-in-law and other members of his family.
Justice OPGarg (retired) was appointed to inquire into the episode, following a direction from the Himachal High Court.
Terming the role of the news channel and its reporter as extremely dishonest, the Garg Commission has said that the footage was doctored in order to damage Mr Bali's reputation. Establishing Mr Bali's “innocence fully”, it has said that the minister's “conduct has been upright and straightforward. From no angle whatsoever, can his conduct be termed as indecent, objectionable, blameworthy and improper”.
The Commission has also recommended that the possibility of lodging a criminal complaint against the channel be examined. Justice Garg is expected to submit soon a separate report on the “legality” and other issues concerning the sting operations in the country.
