The Hindu : National : Taj scam: CVC submits opinion to apex court

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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National

Taj scam: CVC submits opinion to apex court

Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Monday submitted its opinion to the Supreme Court whether or not the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, should be prosecuted in the Rs. 175-crore Taj Heritage Corridor scam case on the basis of the evidence gathered by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

By an order on March 14, the apex court directed the CVC to scrutinise the entire materials of the CBI pertaining to the investigation and submit a report whether to close the case or not. This direction was given in the light of Attorney General Milon Banerjee giving an opinion to close the case. The CBI had submitted 18 volumes of materials relating to the investigation, including the Attorney General's opinion. Solicitor General Mr. Vahanvati had told the court that the CBI had sought the Attorney General's opinion following conflicting reports filed by various investigating officers.

The amicus curiae, Krishan Mahajan, had alleged that the CBI decided to file a closure report without seeking the court's permission. Further, he had said the opinion of the CVC, as required under the CVC Act, was not obtained. In the light of these submissions, the court asked the CVC to give its opinion. Accordingly, the CVC filed its report in the Registry on Monday.

The other accused in the case include the former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, D. S. Bagga, the former Union Environment Secretary, K. C. Mishra, the former State Environment Secretary, R. K. Sharma, and the former Secretary to Mayawati, P. L. Punia.

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