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Notice to Centre, CBI on Mayawati plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation on a writ petition filed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati seeking a direction to quash the probe against her in the disproportionate assets case registered in 2003.

Earlier, when senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Ms. Mayawati, pressed for a direction that the CBI should not file a charge sheet, Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said: “We are not passing any interim order.”

Mr. Salve alleged that the entire inquiry was illegal and the case was foisted on her for political reasons. The first information report was illegal as no sanction had been obtained from the State and the CBI had misinterpreted this court’s direction in the Taj corridor case.

Solicitor-General G.E. Vahanvati, CBI counsel, strongly opposed any interim order. He said the CBI Director must be allowed to take a decision on filing the charge sheet and “we will file a report about the probe to this court.” The case was registered in keeping with its direction.

He said Ms. Mayawati had been participating in the inquiry since 2005 and it could have been concluded by 2006 but she was making representations one after another and even to the Prime Minister.

In her petition, Ms. Mayawati alleged that the Centre was using the CBI to secure political ends and the probe was aimed at character assassination.

“Keeping the sword of investigation hanging [over her head] has seriously impaired her political journey. The premier investigation agency has unfortunately been used as a tool by the Central government by lodging the illegal FIR so as to harass her, the proceedings of which are creating obstruction in smooth running of the government in the State.” The two-judge Bench, which included Justice M.K. Sharma, posted further hearing to July 14.

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