The process for the removal of controversial Prasar Bharti CEO B.S. Lalli as has been initiated with President Pratibha Patil giving her assent for a Supreme Court inquiry into charges of financial mismanagement against him.
Sources said the presidential assent came on a reference by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as required under the Prasar Bharti Act.
An inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge is now likely to be ordered by the PMO.
This newspaper had on October 30 first reported that the information and broadcasting ministry had approached the Prime Minister for the removal of the Prasar Bharati CEO.
It is understood that the CEO is likely to be put under suspension soon under the Prasar Bharati Act’s provisions.
The CEO can “only be removed by the President on the advice of Supreme Court, after a through inquiry by the court which has to prima facie establish that the CEO was involved in wrongdoing”.
The presidential assent is thus the first step towards moving against the high-profile official. Mr Lalli was indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission which accused him of breach of parliamentary privilege, giving undue favours to some broadcast companies and financial mismanagement.
He is also under the scanner in the `246-crore Commonwealth Games broadcast deal with the UK-based SIS Live.