FIR against MP CM was Lokayukt Police's ''compulsion''

Bhopal, Nov 16 (UNI) Registering an first information report (FIR) against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was a ''compulsion'' for Lokayukt Police -- after a local special court's directive for an inquiry into the much-debated dumpers' purchase case -- as investigation could begin only after that, Lokayukt sources said.

Hoshangabad district's Itarsi-resident Congress leader Ramesh K Sahu submitted a plea, under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, urging the court to order a probe. As per a Supreme Court ruling, if a judge orders an inquiry under this section, the police can initiate investigation only after filing an FIR.

Mr Sahu wrote to Lokayukt Police on October 29, 2007 and moved court after no action was initiated.

The state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and some legal experts opined that there was no need for registering an FIR against the Chief Minister. On November 13, the court directed the Lokayukt Special Police Establishment to inquire against Mr Chouhan, his wife Sadhana Singh, JP Cement Director Sunny Gaud, Principal Secretary (Mines) and Rewa's Regional Transport Officer.

The case has been registered under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with sections 13(2) and 13(e), the Indian Penal Code's sections 420, 467, 471 and 120(b).

The act's sections pertain to misuse of office and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income while the IPC's sections relate to presenting forged documents and forgery.

The main opposition Congress demanded the Chief Minister's immediate resignation on moral grounds, while Mr Chouhan trashed the demand accusing the ''disappointed'' Congress of indulging in politics of mudslinging. ''I have done nothing wrong. The issue is political. I am prepared to face any inquiry and will face it boldly,'' Mr Chouhan said.

UNI