SC asks CBI to pull up its socks on Vyapam probe
25 July 2015 6:20 AM IST
The reverberations of the tremors caused by Vyapam scam travelled across Raisina Hill from Parliament to the Supreme Court on Friday. The apex court asked the CBI to inform it within a week the specific time frame by which it will “take over” entire investigation into the Vyapam scam cases so that the issue of monitoring can be decided.
Meanwhile, with logjam continuing in Parliament with the Opposition insisting on the resignations of MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, the first week of the ongoing Monsoon session was washed out with no business being transacted.
“We want to know by what time you (CBI) will take over the investigation which is in the hands of SIT/STF of Madhya Pradesh and we have to take a decision that should we monitor or ask somebody else to monitor and what aspect is needed to be monitored,” a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said while posting the matter for July 31.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha, appearing for Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who has sought an apex court-monitored CBI probe into the cases, submitted that an amicus curiae be appointed to assist the court in the matter.
The bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy in addition to the Chief Justice, also tagged the petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas who has also sought a <g data-gr-id="30">court monitored</g> CBI probe and inclusion of <g data-gr-id="31">whistle blowers</g> into the team of investigators.
The <g data-gr-id="44">bench,</g> wanted to know from additional solicitor general Maninder Singh as to when the counsel will be appointed to represent the CBI. Senior advocate L Nageshwar Rao, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, said there will be <g data-gr-id="42">need</g> for more than one counsel to represent the CBI in view of <g data-gr-id="43">the large number</g> of cases arising from the scam.
The ASG said he would be in the position to answer all the questions of the bench by next Friday. The apex court on July 9 had ordered transfer of probe into all Vyapam scam cases and the deaths allegedly linked to it to CBI and sought response from MP government on why an FIR should not be lodged against the governor for his purported involvement in the scandal.
Issuing notices to the Centre, MP government and Governor Ram Naresh Yadav on the plea seeking his removal from gubernatorial post, the apex court transferred the probe of all cases and alleged deaths connected to it from <g data-gr-id="34">the the</g> Special <g data-gr-id="33">Investiation</g> Team(SIT) and the Special Task Force (STF) to the CBI after the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government “acceded” to the demand.
Monsoon session: 1st week washed out
Proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament remained stalled for the fourth day on Friday with Congress insisting on the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on Lalit Modi and Vyapam episodes. Both the Houses could not transact any significant business.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day immediately after it assembled. Several opposition members had given notices for suspension of the Question Hour, which were rejected by Speaker Sumitra Majahan. Later, opposition members trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans on various corruption issues. Amid din, Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments before adjourning finally for the day at 2.35 PM. The House could not do any business except the laying of papers. However, it adopted a motion by voice vote to withdraw Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill in the post-lunch period. Being Friday, the House could not take up even the Private Members’ Legislative Business.
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