SC adjourns hearing of DA case against U P CM

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing of petitions filed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members seeking review of the apex court order dated March 1,2007 ordering preliminary CBI inquiry to find out whether a prima facie case of disproportionate assets was made out against the SP leader and his family members.

Those facing CBI inquiry include Samajwadi Party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, his MP son Akhilesh Yadav, his daughter in law Dimple Yasdav and his younger son Prateek Yadav.

A bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir adjourned the hearing due to the preoccuption of the two judges in the special bench.

Arguments by the petitioners have already been concluded and the Centre has also completed the arguments. Only K T S Tulsi, senior counsel for the original petitioner Vishwanath Chaturvedi on whose PIL inquiry was ordered , has to start arguments.

Chaturvedi, a Congress activist from UP, in his petition had alleged that Mulayam and his family members had amassed assets worth over Rs one hundred crores through corrupt means by misusing the official status of UP CM.

Yadavs are also seeking stay against the CBI inquiry till the assembly elections are over in the state on the plea that UPA government at the Centre may exploit the CBI report to damage Yadavs in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

The apex court is yet to issue notice on the review petitions which are being heard in the open court.

Justice A R Lakshmanan, who has since retired, had broken down in the open court and had also withdrawn from the case after he received an anonymous letter casting aspersions on his integrity.

The court has not given any date for the next hearing.

UNI