SC reprimands CBI's investigation in Subbah's case

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today reprimanded CBI for not conducting proper investigation to ascertain the nationality of Congress Lok Sabha member from Tejpur constituency in Asom, Mani Kumar Subbah.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice D K Jain questioned the bonafide of CBI investigation in the case as Subbah is facing serious allegation of having been convicted in a murder case in Nepal and allegedly fled from the custody when he was in a hospital in the Himalayan kingdom. later be changed his identity from Mani Raj Limbo to Mani Kumar Subbah and has been living in India since then.

The apex court was surprised by the CBI report which said that nationality of Subbah cannot be ascertained and it was not in a position to say whether he was a Nepali national who has fled to India and is known to be the lottery king of the North East.

According to petitioner Birendra Nath Singh, he escaped from Nepal police custody and entered India illegaly through Sikkim.

The court found entire thing to be highly suspicious and wanted to know from CBI as well as counsel for subbah Rao the evidence which Subbah has produced to establish his nationality.

Surprisingly, Subbah has claimed that he was born in 1958 in Darjeeling but has not placed on record any documentary evidence to prove his claim such as school certificate, birth certificate or any other proof to substantiate his claim of being an Indian national.

The court however, permitted Subbah to produce any documentary evidence to prove his identity within six weeks.

The court also did not agree with the contention of the Congress MP that the petition has been filed to malign him and is a case of witch hunting.

UNI