Kripashankar assets won’t be attached, but probe on

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the police investigation against Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh and his family members in the disproportionate assets case against them.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the police investigation against Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh and his family members in the disproportionate assets case against them.

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“Prima facie it (allegation against the politician) looks correct so no stay on the proceedings,” said a bench of justice HL Dattu and justice AR Dave while directing Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik to conduct an independent probe into all assets acquired by Singh and his family.

The bench sought a report on the status of the probe in a sealed envelop. The probe will include collecting documentary evidence against the Mumbai Congress chief, his wife, son, daughter-in-law and daughter.

It, however, granted minor relief to Singh while restraining the police from attaching and seizing his properties. But, the stay was on the condition that the politician and his family members would not “alienate, transfer or deal with properties” enumerated in the petition filed against them. Singh and his family members have to submit an affidavit giving the undertaking within three days.

On his plea that the petition filed against him was politically motivated, the bench said: “This issue of political battle fought in the court needs consideration” and would be looked into at later stage.” It also gave liberty to the police commissioner to approach the competent authority for seeking sanction to prosecute Singh.

The SC order came on an appeal filed by Singh and his family members challenging February 22 HC order directing the city police commissioner to initiate prosecution against them for “criminal misconduct” under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The order also included attaching his immovable assets.