Tehelka judge cries foul

Justice S N Phukan on Monday said it was the government's prerogative to scrap the commission headed by him to inquire into the Tehelka expose on defence deals, but made it clear he was not told about it.

"I have nothing to say at this moment as I have not received any communication nor even a telephone call from the government about this," he said.

The statement came after Law Minister H R Bharadwaj announced the government's decision not to extend the commission's term, which expired on October 3.

Phukan said he had never applied for the post of chairman. "It was the government which had appointed me."

On the government's decision to hand over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation, Justice Phukan said, "The agency can register a case provided a cognisable offence is made out."