Kiran Bedi slams govt for keeping CBI out of Lokpal control

Attacking the UPA for keeping the CBI out of Lokpal's purview, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi on Wednesday said it appeared that the agency will remain under government control till immunity is given for past acts of corruption by political parties.

"The bill is not path breaking but breaking the path. Thank you Sonia G," Bedi said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

"It appears till a provision for immunity is guaranteed for past acts of corruption, political parties will ensure CBI remains in government control," she said, adding it was now 'Save CBI' campaign.

She also appealed to BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley to help getting CBI out of government control. "Will you (Swaraj) and Mr (Arun) Jaitley get us?" she asked.

Bedi said, "Have you ever heard of creating an investigating body without any investigating body? Are we dumb citizens who can be given anything?"

"This kind of Lokpal be better not passed or else it will destroy whatever is left of CBI. The government is creating an anti-corruption body without any wherewithal for investigation. Who is fooling whom?" she asked.

She said the Sensex will come up once public money is secure and lack of trust is reduced. Team

Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde said it appeared that there was some "ego problem" with government in accepting certain suggestions in Jan Lokpal bill.    

"The government itself seems to have expressed some favourable things in this matter earlier but when the bill is accepted by Cabinet, we see that it is far below our expectations," he said.

He said Lokpal should have control over investigation.