The respondents categorically denied being tutored by Prasad as was alleged recently in some reports. The ex-home secretary was also the only person in MHA who was aware of the last minute changes made in the affidavit by then home minister before it was filed. NEW DELHI: GK Pillai , the former union home secretary, was the only top officer who was in the know of changes made in the second affidavit by then home minister P Chidambaram into the 2004 Ishrat Jahan encounter, reveals the inquiry panel headed by additional secretary B K Prasad Pillai, according to the report, attended the discussions in the chamber of the then law minister Veerappa Moily along with attorney general G E Vahanvati in regard to second affidavit. The most crucial testimony recorded by the panel was that of ex-joint secretary D Diptivilasa who said the affidavit was given to him by the then home minister with directions to put it up on the file, after which he had put up the affidavit along with a draft letter to the law secretary for approval. While taking a serious note of not recording the meeting at law minister chamber into the file, the panel observed, "the fact there was some discussion in the chamber of the law minister regarding filing of the supplementary affidavit" has not been recorded anywhere on the file either by the then joint secretary or by the then home secretary.On being approached for his comments, Pillai said, "I have not seen the report."

Source: Economic Times June 27, 2016 00:56 UTC