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MR. SPEAKER: On this matter, I am thankful to the hon. Leaders of this House. … (Interruptions)

SHRI L.K. ADVANI (GANDHINAGAR): Sir, this is a very serious matter.  In fact, many of us who first saw the report on the television and then heard the hon. Minister in the House felt extremely sad that a person, who does not seem to have anything to do with the matter, should have been maligned in this manner. … (Interruptions) This was the feeling of many of us like me. … (Interruptions)

Yes, it is of the whole House. Even despite that, if an inquiry was suggested and agreed upon, it was because it had been said on that television channel that this is not a private sting operation.  This is a part of an official surveillance carried out and which has been given to us. 

SHRI L.K. ADVANI:  How was it said that it was an official surveillance? It was not a private sting  operation. This was said officially. It was not denied by  anyone.

SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL:  Sir, may I respond to that?

MR. SPEAKER:  I will just make one sentence. I believe the entire House agrees that we should invite Shri Gavit back to the House. He is an hon. Member and Minister who has been exonerated. He should participate in the proceedings. We deeply appreciate the stand taken by him that he would not participate in the proceedings unless he has been acquitted. He has been honourably acquitted. I am sure, you will be benefited by his appearance.  My intention is to say that the other aspect which is equally important should be investigated.

            Mr. Minister, do you wish to respond?

SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL: Yes.

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: Sir, in fact, on that very day, when I spoke,  I said that in this case, prima facie  what appeared is that something has happened which should not have happened. Who has done it? We do not know that. Therefore, I said that just as in many other democracies of the world where there are laws dealing with sting operation, why cannot we in India also think of something like that. Otherwise, this kind of a thing would not be tackled.

MR. SPEAKER:  You said that on that occasion.

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: I said that on that day.

MR. SPEAKER: Yes, you did say that.

SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL:  The most important point for us to decide was to see whether that voice tallied with the voice which was shown to be that of Shri Gavit on the television. Shri Gavit had said very specifically that he would not come to the House nor would he go to the Ministry to discharge his duties unless he is given the report of the Committee acquitting him. That was most important. We have completed this. Fortunately, for us, it was possible with the modern technology which is available with the Forensic Laboratory. It was possible. There are other steps which have to be taken.