Early Times Report
jammu, Mar 11: High court judge Bansi Lal Bhat today stayed till next date of hearing before the bench the operation of March 8, 2016 impugned order of special judge anti-corruption, Jammu, whereby he had directed crime branch of police to seek a sanction for prosecution of Deputy Drug Controller, Jammu, Lotika Khajuria in a drug scam.
The court directive came in a petition filed by Lotika, seeking quashment of the order of special judge, anti-corruption, who had directed CB to seek a sanction for prosecution of Lotika, who was a member of purchase committee-II because the court held the view that there was sufficient evidence on record which revealed her involvement like other members of the purchase committee, who had been arraigned as accused, and it needed not to be re-stated that accused could not be selectively arrayed or left out, when they were similarly placed.
Justice Bhat, after hearing petitioner's counsel, observed that she was aggrieved of the findings of special judge, anti-corruption, Jammu. It was contended that he himself had observed in the order that no sanction for prosecution was sought against the petitioner as according to IO, she had been accorded benefit under section 169 of CrPC on the ground that she was neither a party to evaluation of technical bids nor had conducted any scrutiny of the documents.
The petitioner contended that in view of this factual position there was no justification for special judge, anti-corruption, to order CB to seek sanction for her prosecution. Justice Bhat issued notice to respondents returnable within two weeks and in the meanwhile stayed till next date of hearing before the bench the operation of the impugned order passed by special judge, anti-corruption, to the extent it pertained to the petitioner.
(JNF) |
