SC dismisses former IG Panda's petition

New Delhi, Sep 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed the petition filed by the former Inspector General of Uttar Pradesh Police, Devendra Kishore Panda, who has since become 'Doosri Radha', challenging the Allahabad High Court order directing him to pay Rs 6,700 per month as maintenance to his wife Veena Panda, alias Seema.

A bench comprising Justice B N Agrawal and Justice P P Naolekar dismissed the petition saying there was no merit in the petition and they were not inclined to entertain the same.

Earlier, senior counsel M N Krishnamani appearing for the petitioner, contended before the court that High Court had proceeded on the wrong premises holding that he was getting Rs 20,000 as pension while he was, in fact, getting Rs 12,800 and he was prepared to pay one-third of it as maintenance to his wife.

Mr Krishnamani also submitted that he was also prepared to pay a lump-sum amount as one time full and final settlement.

The court, however, told the petitioner to go back to the Allahabad High Court, where the case is still pending, saying, '' You have come here against the interim order only.'' It may be noted here that a divorce petition filed by Mr Panda, alias 'Doosri Radha', seeking divorce from his wife is already pending in the trial court and another petition filed by his wife for restitution of conjugal rights is also pending in the trial court in UP.

Notably, Mr Panda had resigned from the post of IG in UP police, following the incident of his starting dressing up like Radha, saying he had got instruction from Lord Kirishna to live like Radha.

UNI AKS/SC SK GC1340