SC initiates proceedings against Prasar Bharati CEO Lalli

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia asked the government to file a statement of facts relating to Lalli's irregularities within four weeks and asked the former public broadcaster chief to respond to it within next three weeks.

The bench passed the order on a Presidential reference to sack Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.Senior Advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for Lalli, urged the court to expeditiously hear the reference in view of his retirement in December this year.
Lalli, who was suspended last December, was present in the court when the matter was being heard.

President Pratibha Patil had on December 21 last ordered Lalli's suspension and made a reference to the apex court for his removal on the recommendation of the government.
According to the Prasar Bharati Act, the Chairman or a Member of PB can be removed only by an order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court holds an inquiry following a reference to it.Lalli, 67, was suspended after allegations were levelled against him for financial and administrative irregularities in award of a contract for broadcast of the Commonwealth Games to a UK-based firm SIS Live.

Prasar Bharati was formed in 1997 as a public service broadcaster. This is the first time that its CEO faces the prospect of being removed from the post.

Lalli, who had assumed the CEO's post in December 2006, 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.

Reacting to the Presidential reference, Lalli had said that "a lot of intrigue and mischief" was going on within the organisation against him that was "abetted and encouraged" by powerful elements from outside