Adarsh: Bombay high court asks CBI to decide on FIR in 2 weeks, Maharashtra opposes central probe

The Bombay high court today pulled up CBI for the "delay" in filing a FIR in Adarsh Housing scam and ordered it to take a final decision within two weeks even as Maharashtra government opposed a probe by the central agency.

The court also directed issuing of summons to CBI's regional joint director to appear before it when the court hears the case again after two weeks.

During hearing of a petition in the Adarsh case, a division bench of Justice BH Marlapalle and Justice UD Salvi asked, "It has been more than two months since CBI has been conducting a preliminary inquiry into the case. Why have you (CBI) not registered FIR as yet?"

"We fail to understand why there is a delay in lodging of FIR. Media reports have virtually carried CBI's draft FIR and revealed all the accused's names," Justice Marlapalle said.

The state home department in its affidavit submitted to the court said that in the Adarsh case, the issues which arise fall within the domain of the state government and the central government has "little or no concern" with the same.

"Handing over such investigation to another agency or the CBI is an extreme measure and rarely resorted to," it said, adding there is no jurisdictional basis for handing over the case to CBI.

The petition was filed by activist Simpreet Singh which said since both CBI and the state Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) were involved in the probe, it may create issues of jurisdiction "which might hamper the probe".

According to the petition, with three former chief ministers allegedly involved in the scam, the ACB may be under pressure not to effectively probe the case and hence the entire investigation should be handed over to CBI.

Additional solicitor general Darius Khambata, appearing for CBI, sought four weeks to finish the probe, saying, "It is a sensitive case involving big names. The agency does not want to take any hasty decision."

The court however refused to grant more than two weeks to the agency and ordered the regional joint director of CBI to appear before it.

The home department's affidavit said "in the Adarsh case, the issues which arise falls within the domain of the state government. The central government has little or no concern with the same. There is, therefore, no jurisdictional basis for handing over the investigations to the CBI."

"The assumption that anti-corruption branch being a state agency is not suitable for or will have difficulty in enquiry into allegation or issues in view of the alleged involvement of officials of the central government is totally misconceived.

"The petitioner completely overlooks the fact that it is the nature of the offence and not the identity of the offender which is paramount," it said, adding there is no merit in the petitioner's contention casting doubts about ACB's ability to probe the case.