Scorpene deal probe moves to HC after withdrawal from SC

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL seeking court monitored investigation into the Scorpene submarine deal.

A Bench, comprising Mrs Justice Ruma Pal, Mr Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Mr Justice Marakandey Katju granted permission to the petitioner to withdraw the petition after his counsel submitted that he would like to approach the High Court.

Justice Ruma Pal wanted to know if it was the duty of the Supreme Court to suprevise and monitor investigations in such cases.

There are allegations that Rs 4500 crore has been paid as commission in the controversial Rs 10000 crore submarine deal.

The government has already announced that if allegations of kickback in the case are proved true than the entire deal will be scrapped.

Asked about the current status of the deal, petitioner's counsel informed the court that the deal was very much on. The petition was filed by Centre for Public Litigation.

There are allegations against several persons, including Abhishek Verma, for allegedly recieving kickbacks in the deal.

The Counsel also informed the court that some arrests have been made only in war-room leak case.

The petitioner has alleged that such loot of public exchequer should not be permitted and the case calls for a through investigation by an independent investigation agency to unearth the entire scandal and also to bring to book the real culprits.

UNI AKS/SC KD RP DS1328