| Contempt proceedings against SVO IGP, VOJ SSP dropped | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 24: In a complaint, seeking registration of FIR against an ex-minister and a former managing director of housing board, a high court division bench of Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today dropped contempt proceedings against the SVO IGP and an ex-SSP of VOJ.
Dropping contempt proceedings against SVO IGP Alok Puri and ex-VOJ SSP Koshal Kumar, the bench advised the petitioner's counsel to workout his remedy somewhere else or before the state accountability commission (SAC) constituted for dealing complaints of corruption against politicians.
After hearing the petitioner's counsel, the court observed that since the state vigilance organisation (SVO) has filed the compliance report in terms of its September 21, 2016 order, there was no wilful disobedience of the Apex Court directions passed in the case of Lalita Kumari v/s Government of U P, wherein it had held that a preliminary enquiry in a corruption case should not exceed 15 days.
The counsel argued that based upon RTI disclosure, the petitioner on March 8, 2016 had lodged a complaint with the SVO IGP and VOJ SSP, seeking registration of FIR under section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act against the ex-minister and the ex-MD, who was presently HB secretary.
He alleged that the ex-minister, by abusing his official position, had got several works executed both in Jammu and Srinagar purely on extraneous considerations actuated with malafide exercise of power through the ex-MD which had resulted in creation of liabilities worth Rs 27.60 cr.
He alleged that the works, which were to be undertaken by PDD, PWD, floriculture and other departments, were got executed by the duo, leading to the creation of huge liabilities. He also alleged that the works were executed through blue-eyed contractors in derogation to the norms laid down in J&K Financial Code.
He alleged that maximum works, including upgradation of parks, lanes, drains, electrification and construction of community halls, in Jammu were executed in the ex-minister's own constituency.
He submitted that the housing and urban development department had already initiated disciplinary proceedings against the erring officials, including the ex-MD, but these were merely an eye wash as the delinquent officials were highly influential. After hearing the two sides, the bench said it was hearing a contempt petition and its scope was limited. "The remedy for the petitioner lies somewhere else," the court said. With these observations, the bench dismissed the contempt petition and dropped the contempt proceedings against the SVO IGP and the ex-VOJ SSP. --(JNF) |
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