Patna High Court stays CBI probe into withdrawal of Rs 11 crore

Patna, July 23 (ANI): The Patna High Court on Friday stayed its previous order for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities to the tune of over Rs 11,412.54 crore in the State, which has come as a major relief for the Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice R M Doshit and Justice S K Katriar stayed its previous order on whether or not the allegations levelled in a PIL in connection with the CAG report were a fit case to be referred to the CBI.

After an almost two-day hearing on the interlocutory petition filed by the Bihar Government seeking modifications in its order dated July 15, the court also stayed its directive to the CBI Director and Joint Director to be present in the court on July 26.

Earlier on July 15, the court ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregular withdrawal from the State treasury between 2002-03 to 2007-08 for different welfare and development schemes without making available required bills to the Accountant General of Bihar.

The period of withdrawals includes 42 months of the Rabri Devi-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress Government and 28 months of the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government. (ANI)