SC to hear on Sep 6 corruption cases against politicians

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) The Supreme Court has decided to hear the petitions filed by various political leaders and bureaucrats challenging their prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act for amassing assets beyond their known sources of income.

A bench, headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat on Monday fixed September 6 for hearing a bunch of petitions filed by former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, his wife former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, Chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Revenue Board Neera Yadav and Akali Dal MP and former Punjab minister Rattan Singh Ajnala challenging their prosecution on the grounds that there was no prior sanction obtained by the prosecuting agency which is CBI.

All are facing allegations of misusing their official status and indulging in corruption for personal gains. Badal is facing allegations of amassing assets worth about Rs 1800 crores during his tenure as state chief minister while Karunakaran is facing the music for his alleged involvement in Palm Oil scandal. Lalu and Rabri are facing allegations of their involvement in fodder scam worth about Rs. 500 crores.

The court also directed the UP government to produce the record why departmental proceedings were dropped againsat former state chief secretary Neera Yadav who is facing trial for bungling in allotment of land during her tenure as chairperson of NOIDA development authority.

UNI AKS/SC RP VA KN1118