SC pulls up CBI on Mulayam's disproportionate assets case

New Delhi, Feb.10, (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for acting on the behest of the Central Government in the disproportionate assets case against former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Justice Altmas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph, condemned the CBI for approaching the Central Government for advice on the matter, saying: "Since when has the CBI started taking advice from the Government? Why didn't you come to the court for clarifications?"

The court's ruling came when CBI's Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said the opinion of the law ministry was required to withdraw an application filed by the CBI in which it had sought to file a report on inquiry before the apex court and not to the Centre.

The bench found the CBI's decision to submit an application to the Central Government very unusual. It said: "Why did you file the interim application on the opinion of the Central Government? It is incomprehensible."On March 1, 2007, the Supreme Court had ordered a CBI investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets of Yadav, his two sons and daughter-in-law.

The allegations were made by advocate Vishwantath Chaturvedi, who filed a Public interest litigation that led to the government ordering the CBI inquiry. (ANI)