'Madhu Sharma's accusations mean nothing'

NEW DELHI: Madhu Sharma’s accusations and allegations against Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pramod Mahajan on Thursday may have made sensational viewing, but experts say that legally they add up to nothing.
If anything, Madhu Sharma has exposed herself to a possible police probe. Madhu Sharma’s husband, R K Sharma, a senior Haryana IPS officer, is the prime accused in the Shivani murder case.
Former Delhi high court judge Jaspal Singh said: ‘‘The senior IPS officer’s wife says the minister telephoned Shivani Bhatnagar on the day when she was murdered. This does not conclusively prove his involvement. There has to be more than this.’’
While Singh did not exonerate Mahajan, he said it was the duty of the police to reveal the truth. A similar view was held by senior Supreme Court advocate Rajeev Dhawan. He said: ‘‘All cases are facing media trial these days. The police have to be aware of this.’’
Dhawan said it was the job of the police to investigate the whole case properly. ‘‘Madhu Sharma’s statement could be an outburst. It may be a wild cry. But a good investigating officer will not leave any loose ends in his or her investigation.’’
Dhawan added communication between Madhu Sharma and her husband was privileged and she might not be obliged to give a sworn testimony. Madhu Sharma, however, had herself made available information which may be used by the police.
‘‘If she has some information which she has independently made public through the media, she has given an invitation to the police to question her,’’ Dhawan said.
R K Anand, feels the police should investigate the matter further. ‘‘If the court could convict former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao on the basis of a statement made by the co-accused, who was made an approver, the police can investigate the minister’s role,’’ Anand said.
Supreme Court Bar Association secretary Ashok Arora said the police have an option to inform the court about Madhu Sharma’s allegations.