According to sources in the committee, which met for three hours, Salim’s demand was promptly endorsed by Vijay Kumar Malhotra of the BJP and Rajesh Verma of the BSP. Salim said Saxena’s contentions are contrary to what one can see on the video-tape. The sources said Saxena conceded that his son’s admission form submitted to a local college had been filled by him and the address as well as the telephone number stated in it were those of Amar Singh.

The issue would be discussed when the committee meets next, most likely on August 27.

The committee examined SP MP Reoti Raman Singh, who, according to the sources, admitted having gone to meet the three BJP MPs, but claimed that the issue under discussion was not the voting on the confidence motion but their admission to the SP. He said the amount mentioned in the tape was what one of the MPs said was necessary for running an SP unit once he switched sides.

Deo told The Indian Express that the committee had not taken any decision about summoning Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel, both members of the Rajya Sabha. The sources, however, said some members at the meeting contended that Amar Singh be called because one of the CDs with the probe panel was sourced by him. They said if the SP leader was not going to appear, there was no need to examine the CD. This matter too would be taken up at the next meeting.

The committee also recorded the evidence of Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former aide of L K Advani. Kulkarni, who had made a written submission to the committee on August 14 giving a detailed account of the tapping operation, handed a post-script to the panel. He alleged that CNN-IBN, in its telecast on August 11, had suppressed “important sections of the recorded material.” The channel had not shown clips of Ahmed Patel’s meetings with two BJP MPs at a five-star hotel, he said. Suhail Hindustani, who assisted him, had told him that a person in a yellow shirt, who carried the slush money, had accompanied Saxena to Amar Singh’s house. This man, according to him, is seen near Argal’s house in the telecast, but the channel has not shown him near Amar Singh’s house, he added. “His identity and role must be properly probed,” Kulkarni demanded.

Sources in the channel dismissed Kulkarni’s claim. “He should check with BJP MPs who have themselves maintained that the so-called meeting at the hotel did not take place. When there is no footage, how can we show footage,” they wondered.

Deo, when asked when the committee would submit its report, said, “as soon as possible.” The extended deadline is August 29.