SC to decide on Akhilesh's petition tomorrow

New Delhi, Mar 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court will tomorrow decide the fate of a petition filed by Akhilesh Yadav, son of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, seeking a review of its March 1 judgment ordering a preliminary inquiry by the CBI in the disproportionate assets case against his father and family members.

A Bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir will also consider the plea of Akhilesh Yadav, a Lok Sabha member, seeking a stay against the CBI inquiry till the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are over.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, his two sons Akhilesh Yadav and Prateek Yadav and his daughter-in-law Dimpal Yadav are facing allegations of acquiring assets worth over Rs 100 crore through corrupt means by absuing his status as state chief minister.

The petition also seeks that the inquiry be conducted by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, since he has no faith in the CBI, whose impartiality in investigating political cases has been under cloud.

The original complainant, Vishawnath Chaturvedi, a Congress activist, has sought prosecution of SP supremo and his family members under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

It may be recalled here that Justice A R Lakshmanan, who has since retired, had withdrawn from the case after he broke down in the open court after receiving an anonymous letter casting aspersions on his integrity.

Akhilesh's petition also demands that the CBI be directed to await the outcome of the ongoing inquiry by Income Tax department against his father.

The hearing was adjourned last Friday when the other party failed to appear in court, taking the plea that the court was yet to issue a notice on the petition.

The Chief Minister has, however, denied the allegations as politically motivated, designed to tarnish his political reputation with an eye on the assembly elections.

UNI