The CNN-IBN news channel, which attempted a sting operation over two days to try and capture footage of money being given to BJP MPs Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora, has handed over the raw footage to the Speaker’s office.

The channel did not telecast the tapes on Tuesday though minutes after his MPs emptied a bag full of money in the House, Leader of Opposition L K Advani said a “prominent” news channel would soon telecast the tapes.

Today, Advani demanded an inquiry into the incident. “On the basis of what the three MPs have said to the Speaker, he can order investigation, make inquiries and come to a conclusion,” he said.

“The BJP demands that the Speaker immediately convene a meeting of leaders of all parties, show the tape to them and institute a time-bound inquiry. The outcome of this inquiry must be made known before Parliament convenes for the monsoon session in August,” Advani said.

Without naming the CNN-IBN channel, he said: “The right thing for the channel would have been to show it and let people draw their own conclusion.”

BJP leaders, who had coordinated the sting operation, today admitted that as per the initial plan the CNN-IBN was to commence promos for the story minutes after the “bribe” reached Parliament. The tapes were to be telecast later.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley said: “When the channel developed cold feet, the BJP in its wisdom decided to go ahead with the expose in Parliament, leaving the onus of the decision on when and how to hand over the tapes to the authorities with the independent broadcaster.”

Asked why were the tapes not telecast, CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said: “This was part of an ongoing investigation the channel was doing on horse-trading prior to the trust vote but until evening yesterday we were still verifying leads and filling gaps in the investigation. Sting operations have already come under attack and we understand our responsibility of telling a complete story.”

Speculation is rife on what is in the tapes but BJP leaders claim this is what happened over Monday and Tuesday:

•Monday 11.30 am: After an unnamed “intermediary” approaches the three BJP MPs, party trouble-shooters contact the CNN-IBN. Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora are driven to the Le Meridien Hotel, supposedly to meet Congress leader Ahmed Patel. They are wearing button cameras provided by the channel. But there is no sign of Patel in the hotel.

•Monday 1.30 pm: An unnamed “contact” informs the three BJP MPs that SP MP Reoti Raman Singh would meet them at Ashok Argal’s residence at 4, Ferozeshah Road. The drawing room is fitted with bugging devices and the CNN team is listening in an ante-room. Reoti Raman Singh claims Amar Singh is the person who will finalise the deal.

•Tuesday 9 am: Argal and Kulaste go to Amar Singh’s house in Lodi Road. The MPs do not wear button cameras. They are filmed entering and exiting the house.

•Tuesday 2 pm: At 4, Ferozeshah Road, the three MPs get a visitor called Sanjeev Saxena who is allegedly carrying “advance” money for them. The hidden cameras are in place. In Saxena’s presence, the MPs remove the bundles to check the notes. After Saxena leaves, the CNN-IBN reporter interviews each MP. The serial numbers of the Rs 1,000 notes are filmed as proof that the cash delivered is the bundle taken to Parliament.