HC fines Vigilance Commission Re one

Kolkata, Jun 25 (UNI) Calcutta High Court today fined a state vigilance commission for investigating into the belongings of a senior IPS official, who claimed the inquiry was 'motivated'.

Justice S P Talukdar fined the Commission Re one as a symbol of rebuke as it acted beyond its jurisdiction and on a 'baseless flying letter'.

The bench issued the ruling on a petition filed by Inspector General (Welfare) Nazrul Islam.

The Commission initiated an inquiry in March 2006 to find out moveable and fixed assets of Mr Islam on the basis of a letter sent by one Abu Hassan, who claimed to be a resident of Murshidabad.

The letter said Mr Islam had acquired property disproportionate to his known sources of income and it suggested an investigation to find out the truth behind amassing such 'disproportionate property'.

As the Commission began its investigation Mr Islam moved the High Court seeking an order on the Home Department for initiating another inquiry to unravel the truth.

Investigation, however, revealed that the letter was baseless as no one could be found having such a name.

Mr Islam, however, again moved the Court challenging the authority of the Commission to initiate such an inquiry which he said tarnished his public image as an 'honest' police official.

The Court today passed the order saying the symbolic fine of Re one be paid by the Commission within four weeks to Mr Islam. The court also directed to identify the official who ordered the investigation and take necessary steps against him.

UNI XC KK AKJ RAI1849