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.