No-one, including MPs and journalists, are above the law. Everybody is equal before the law

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan

A story carried by a leading Indian newspaper on Wednesday alleged that sexual favours had been offered by undercover web journalists investigating corruption in the Indian military.

This created a furore in parliament.

But the main opposition Congress Party and the website's editor say the government has seized upon this latest revelation to divert attention away from the disturbing findings of the corruption investigation.

Tejpal says the government is trying to divert attention

The government has announced it will launch a thorough probe into use by Tehelka.com of prostitutes in its hidden-camera operation.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the home ministry would investigate the matter fully.

Mr Mahajan also said that while the country had a right to information and journalists who were in the business of making it available had a right to collect and disseminate it, they were not above the law.

Corruption

The Congress Party, while criticising the use of prostitutes in the sting operation, said the government was trying to sidetrack the main issue - the rampant spread of corruption.

Defence Minister George Fernandes was forced to resign

The party's deputy leader, Madhav Rao Scindia, said the government's response obliterates the stunning revelations made by the investigation.

The website's editor, Tarun Tejpal, has been criticised by government officials and the media for stepping beyond the limits of ethical journalism.

In March this year, Mr Tejpal's team released secretly filmed footage which showed bureaucrats, politicians and military officials accepting bribes in return for a fictional arms deal.

The scandal forced Defence Minister George Fernandes and the chiefs of two parties to resign.