Rumors and speculation have been rife since Beijing announced the removal from office of Bo Xilai, the former Communist Party of China chief of Chongqing and member of the CPC Political Bureau, and investigations into his "serious disciplinary violations" and his wife's alleged involvement in the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

When someone in the public eye sees an abrupt end to his career, people are entitled to wonder what happened.

Such curiosity is perfectly legitimate and understandable. After all, this is a scandal surrounding a prominent, though controversial, official who basked in the glow of the constant media spotlight.

Bo's five-year tenure in the southwestern city of Chongqing had caught people's attention because of a high-profile crackdown on criminal gangs and his initiative to revive revolutionary-era "red songs". Such moves earned him both zealous admirers and harsh critics.

But the authorities have made it clear that they are investigating a murder and violations of Party disciplines and that the investigations into the homicide of Heywood and Bo's violations of disciplines will follow proper legal procedures.

Responding to a question about the probe into Wang Lijun, which seems to have been the trigger for Bo's downfall, Premier Wen Jiabao promised us a report on the investigation's findings that "would stand the test of law and history".

But it seems there are some who are not willing to accept the truth that the CPC is investigating one of its highest officials for violations of party disciplines, and the judiciary is investigating his wife in relation to an ongoing murder inquiry, as there have been suggestions that Bo is the victim of a power struggle.

Such conspiracy theories might make entertaining movies but these are real life investigations into corruption and murder.

That one of the subjects of the investigations was in a position of political significance will have political consequences, but that does not mean the investigations are politically motivated or an outcome of "political in-fighting".

The conspiracy theorists have sought to discredit the authorities' commitment to rule of law, but the authorities would be failing to adhere to the rule of law if they turned a blind eye to such serious allegations of wrongdoing and declined to investigate.

In effect, what these conspiracy theorists are saying that the authorities in Beijing should abandon the investigations and thus the rule of law because the subjects include someone politically important.

The steps taken against Bo and his wife are in strict accordance with the country's sophisticated Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Law and the CPC's rules governing the conduct of its members.

They reflect the Party's resolution to ensure the rule of law.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily.

(China Daily 04/21/2012 page5)