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CBI: registration of case against Mayawati is apt

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, justifying the registration of a disproportionate assets case against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its response to her petition for quashing the proceedings, the CBI said the case was registered in accordance with the September 18, 2003 court directions in the Taj corridor case. The court had clearly said it was open to the agency to take whatever action it deemed fit and proper depending on the outcome of the investigation of the Taj corridor case. There was no need for further sanction as the investigation was part of the probe into the Taj corridor scam, the CBI said.

The context in which the order was passed “makes it abundantly clear that there was a clear direction to register an FIR in the disproportionate assets matter also,” the agency said.

It rejected Ms. Mayawati’s claim all these assets were gifts she received during the birthday celebrations.

“Probe illegal”

Ms. Mayawati alleged that the inquiry was illegal and the case was foisted for political reasons. She contended that the FIR lodged against her was illegal as no sanction was taken from the State and the CBI misinterpreted the court direction in the Taj corridor case. She said the Centre was using the CBI for political ends and the probe was aimed at character assassination.

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