HC transfers multi-crore Naptha scam investigation to SIT

Mumbai, Nov 30 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today transferred the investigation of the multi-crore Naptha scam of 2005 to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on a petition filed by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

The Naptha scam involves dummy purchase of Naptha and kerosene and their use for adulterating petrol and diesel.

A Division Bench comprising Justices S B Mhase and S R Sathe expressed the hope that the SIT would not come out ''ineffective'' and directed the state to make all resources available to them.

While there were six cases already being investigated by SIT, on the court's suggestion, State Government Pleader Borulkar stated that the remaining 36 cases pending with the state also be transferred to the SIT.

In fact, henceforth, all the cases involving petroleum products registered under the Essential Commodities Act, Petroleum Products Act and Indian Penal Code shall be handed to the SIT making it the single investigating authority.

Mr Gadkari, in his petition, had alleged that while the police filed cases against the minor players in the scam for alleged evasion of excise duty, sales tax and income tax, the mafia and political bigwigs involved in the scam were let off the hook.

Mr Gadkari's petition demanded that the entire case be handed over to either CBI or the state Director General of Police, instead of registering separate cases in various police stations, which was the process followed by police.

Petitioner's counsel Nitin Pradhan told the court that mafia conspired this scam by importing Naptha and kerosene and selling it on paper to dummy purchasers. But the fact was that the consignment was supplied to petrol pumps or chemical factories for the purpose of adulterating petrol/diesel.

Apart from adulteration of petrol, the racket duped the government of crores of rupees in excise duty, sales tax and income tax, the petition alleged.

Instead of getting to the bottom of the racket, the police only arrested the dummy purchaser, that too in separate cases, which would not resolve the issue, it added.

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