CBI free to probe DA case against Mayawati: Supreme Court

New Delhi, May 1: The

on Wednesday said the

is free to investigate the disproportionate assets (DA) case against former

Chief Minister

that could spell fresh trouble for her.

A bench of justices P Sathasivam and Dipak Misra, who had quashed the proceedings against her on July 6 last year, said that it had passed the earlier order without going into the merit of DA case against her.

It said the FIR in the DA case was quashed because the agency proceeded against her without properly understanding its orders which were confined to Taj Corridor case. It clarified that the judgement has not taken away CBI's power to proceed against her in a separate DA case.

"CBI can investigate the disproportionate assets case against her", the bench said adding that it would pass an order clarifying the earlier judgement.

"CBI's power to probe the case against Mayawati has not been taken away by us," the bench said while reserving its order on a review petition filed against its July 6 verdict.

It also said that the court will take note of CBI findings on the assets of Mayawati.

Senior advocate S C Mishra, appearing for Mayawati, opposed the review plea and said that judgement was clear and there was no need for any clarification.

"No clarification is required as CBI can go ahead with the probe. This review plea is like appeal which should not be entertained," Mishra said.

The CBI, however, was reluctant to take a stand on the issue and the bench asked Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran thrice on what its stand was.

PTI