SC adjourns Mulayam's petition in disproportionate assets case

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court today adjourned till July the hearing of petition filed by former UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members seeking review of the court order dated March 1, 2007 ordering a CBI inquiry against them in Disproportionate Assets case.

The other petitioners include his sons Akhilesh Yadav and Prateek Yadav and daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav.

The petitioners are facing allegations of acquiring assets worth over Rs 100 crores through corrupt means by misusing his official status as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and are therefore liable to be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

A Bench comprising Justices C K Thakkar and Altamas Kabir adjourned the hearing.

The petitioners are seeking review of the Court's judgement on the ground that the allegations were politically motivated and the Income Tax department was already looking into the allegations, hence there was no need for a parallel police investigation into them.

Vishwanath Chaturvedi, a Congress activsit from the state, had demanded a CBI inquiry into the allegations made by him against Samajwadi Party Supremo and his family members.

The apex court had directed the CBI to conduct preliminary inquiry into the allegations to find out if any prima facie case is made out of the former UP CM and his family members and submit its report to the Centre who will decide the future course of action in the matter.

Justice A R Lakshmanan, who has since retired, withdrew from the Bench after he broke down in an open court on receiving an anonymous letter through fax questioning his integrity.

UNI