Cash-at-judge's door case: Petition filed against CBI closure report

A special CBI court will hear on February 15 the maintainability of a petition filed by the Punjab and Haryana Bar Association challenging CBI's decision to close the much-publicised cash-at-judge's door case.

Lawyers connected with the case said Special CBI Court judge Darshan Singh will decide whether the Bar Association has a locus standi in the case.

Meanwhile, Amrik Singh, a peon at the residence of justice Nirmaljit Kaur of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and complainant in the case, submitted in his reply to CBI's plea for closure that it was upto the court to "proceed in accordance with law."

Contending that the CBI had sought the cancellation report "only on account of lack of sanction," Singh said that "three reports, one by the Chandigarh administration, the second by the three judges and third by the CBI have all concluded that the money was wrongly delivered at the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur and was in fact meant for justice Nirmal Yadav (of the High Court).

"The cancellation report has been filed by the CBI only on account of lack of sanction," he said. The case had rocked the Punjab and Haryana High Court after Rs15 lakh in cash was "wrongly delivered" at the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur on August 13, 2008 following which she reported the matter to the police.

Justice Nirmal Yadav has denied the allegation that the money was meant for her and was given a clean chit earlier this year by a collegium of the Supreme Court.