Speaker’s statement for media

Speaker’s statement in the assembly

Gandhinagar, 23 March, 2012

Gandhinagar based Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has given clean chit to BJP MLA Shankarbhai Chaudhary in iPad row.

After thoroughly exploring all the data and storage system in Chaudhary’s iPad, the FSL handed over the report to the Speaker of Gujarat Assembly today in sealed cover, expressing an opinion that no objectionable or pornographic data was found in Chaudhary’s iPad.

According to the FSL report, there were 4161 pictures and 11 video clips stored in Chaudhary’s iPad, but none of them was objectionable or obscene.

As per the report, internet was not accessed in iPad till 1.30 pm on 20 March.

Meanwhile MLA Shankar Chaudhary has demanded strict investigation against those who conspired against him.

After the report arrived, Chaudhary vowed to take legal action against those involved in defaming him under a conspiracy.

Following is the statement of the Speaker of Gujarat assembly after going through the FSL report:

Gujarat Assembly Speaker Mr. Ganpat Vasava today in the House said that Radhanpur’s MLA Shankar Chaudhary had requested him to carry out investigation on allegations levelled against him by media that he had seen obscene, objectionable video clippings in the House. “Mr. Chaudhary also handed over to me his I-Pad with a request to deliver justice and in turn I sent it to the FSL for thorough investigation. I have received the FSL report in a sealed cover with detailed analysis and observation. The report makes it clear that Mr. Chaudhary did not have any objectionable/obscene photographs/video clippings on his I-Pad.”, said Mr. Vasava.

The report further says that-

An e-mail id [email protected] has been found as a user on this I-Pad. This shows that, this I-Pad was being used by Radhanpur MLA Mr. Shankarbhai Chaudhary for some time.

During the assembly session on 20th March, 2012, the said I-Pad was not used for surfing the internet. As per the FSL report, no internet surfing was done in this I-Pad until 1:00 pm. Therefore, the question of accessing any website does not arise.

Hence, it cannot be proven that the said I-Pad was used for internet surfing or website viewing during the said time. Hence, obscene /objectionable photographs, clippings or recordings were not viewed by Mr. Chaudhary.

The said I-Pad contains mainly different newspaper reports. As per the investigation by the FSL, the I-Pad contained a total of 4161 photographs and 11 video clippings.

Not a single obscene/ objectionable photograph, video clipping or recording was found during the investigation by the FSL stored on the I-Pad.

On 20th March 2012, until 1 pm, which is the completion time of the session, he viewed seven web pages. FSL has thoroughly investigated these pages, and has not found any obscene/ objectionable photograph or clippings in the mentioned web pages.

“Hence, as per the FSL report containing the analysis and investigation which was handed over to me, it shows that the charges made against Mr. Shankarbhai Chaudhary of watching obscene/ objectionable photographs and video clippings have not been proven.”, said Mr. Vasava.

The Speaker said that he has forwarded the details of all the reports, photographs, video clips, recordings and web pages which were handed over to him by the FSL in sealed annexure, to the Privilege Committee for appropriate further action.

Link:What was iPad row