SC to hear Akhilesh's review petition in open court on Mar 16

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear in an open court a review petition filed by Lok Sabha member Akhilesh Yadav against its order dated March 1 directing the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations of disproportionate assets allegedly acquired by his father and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav through corrupt means.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav his daughter-in-law Dimpal Yadav and younger son Prateek Yadav, who are also facing a CBI inquiry, have been made respondents.

A Bench comprising Justices A R Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir today fixed March 16 for a hearing of the petition when the same was mentioned before it by senior counsel Mukul Rohatagi for an urgent hearing.

Mr Rohatagi, pleading for a hearing of the review petition in the open court, contended that an urgent hearing was required as the UPA Government at the Centre was most likely to use the CBI investigation report against the UP Chief Minister in the forthcoming state assembly elections to tarnish his image.

The petitioner also sought a judicial inquiry by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, saying he had no faith in the CBI inquiry, citing several cases of shabby investigations carried out by the CBI at the behest of the party in power at the Centre namely -- the Taj corridor scandal against BSP chief Mayawati, Bofors gun scandal and Congress MP from Asom M K Subba's case.

The petitioner also expressed apprehension that the government at the Centre may use the CBI as a tool to malign his father's reputation to take political advantage in the state assembly elections.

Yesterday, the apex court had refused to hear Mulayam Singh Yadav's application for a direction for a stay on the CBI inquiry till May 31 by which time the elections in the state would be over.

The inquiry was ordered by the apex court on a PIL filed by a Congress activist from the state Vishvanath Chaturvedi, who had alleged that Mr Mulayam Singh, his son, daughter-in-law and younger son had acquired assets worth over Rs 100 crore by misusing his official status as Chief Minister of the state.

The court had directed the CBI to find out if prima facie case could be made out against Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and to submit the report to the Centre for taking appropriate action in the matter.

UNI