The CPI has closed ranks behind its minister, claiming he was innocent and therefore he should not be probed. The minister, on his part, has punished a few officials under him, blaming them entirely for the affair. With the probe demand reaching a high both in and outside the Assembly, VS has announced the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption department to look into the state Government issues involved, both of now and earlier, but maintained the state had limitations in ordering a full-fledged probe into an issue that involves the Centre.

As things stand, uncertainty continues over where the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology would eventually be. ISRO is maintaining that the land deal was legal, the High Court has asked the state Government to submit its affidavit on the issue in a fortnight, the Opposition has vowed to keep up the heat till a full-fledged probe was ordered and the CPI minister resigned—and no alternative land has yet been fixed, should the Merchiston deal eventually fall through.