Patna, (Bihar Times): The Secretariat of the State Legislative Council last week recommended a probe by the Special Vigilance Bureau into the alleged illegal appointments made during the tenure of the former chairman, Prof Jabir Husain. In all 78 appointments were made, mostly in third and fourth grades.

The Bureau, however, sought a directive from the state government as an FIR had already been lodged in the Sachivalaya police station. Besides, Prof Husain, the then secretary of the Council, Kapildeo Prasad, was also named accused in the FIR.

A senior Bureau officer was quoted by a newspaper as saying that the matter has been referred to the chief secretary. As soon as the order is issued by the government and the case lodged with the Sachivalaya Police Station transferred, the Bureau will start investigation into the case.

Last month an FIR was lodged under the direction of the Patna high court under Sections 166, 167, 109 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court action followed a complaint case by Raj Kumar Singh. He alleged that Prof Husain and Kapildeo Singh illegally appointed 78 people on different grades. The Patna high court directed the acting chairman of the legislative council, Arun Kumar, and the secretary of the council to inquire into the matter. The allegations were found to be true.