Gujarat sleaze: FSL gives clean chit to 2 BJP MLAs

Gandhinagar: After facing embarrassment over two of its MLAs allegedly viewing porn in the Gujarat Assembly, there is some respite for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar has given a clean chit to the two BJP MLAs Shankarbhai Lagadhirbhai Chaudhary and Jethabhai Ghelabhai Ahir Bharwad in the alleged sleaze case.

The FSL findings are based on the forensic examination of the iPad belonging to MLA Shankar Chaudhary.

There has been ruckus in the Assembly since Tuesday after the incident came to light.

All Congress MLAs have been suspended from the Assembly for the second consecutive day on Friday for disrupting the proceedings.

Congress MLA's have been demanding the dismissal of the two BJP MLA's who were allegedly watching porn inside the Assembly.

Legislators Shankarbhai Lagadhirbhai Chaudhary and Jethabhai Ghelabhai Ahir Bharwad were on Tuesday seen spending time on their tablets during the House proceedings with a journalist watching the assembly proceeding alleging that they were viewing obscene pictures of women.

"Chaudhary showed his tab to another MLA Bharwad. First they started by watching the pictures of Swami Vivekananda, then cartoons and then pictures of women," senior journalist Janakbhai Purohit said. "I went to Speaker's chamber and complained about it to his PA, who informed the Speaker and the viewing was stopped," he said.

Chaudhary, however, had denied allegations, saying that this was an attempt to malign his image. "The allegations of me watching porn in assembly is baseless. This is an attempt to politically malign me. The assembly proceedings are recorded in CCTV. I request the Opposition to check the CCTV footage. All the allegations against me are baseless. I am not the person who watches porn at all."

Bharwad said, "This is baseless and wrong. I will resign if found guilty. Mediapersons are showing the correct thing. You should be truthful. We have not done anything wrong. We are very hurt. Opposition party is targeting us. We are ready to face an inquiry. We will resign if found guilty."