No in-house probe in PF scam:CJI

Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan said there would be no in-house inquiry against the judges allegedly involved in the multi-crore Ghaziabad PF scam, as the CBI was looking into the matter, reports Satya Prakash.

Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan on Monday said there would be no in-house inquiry against the judges allegedly involved in the multi-crore Ghaziabad PF scam, as the CBI was looking into the matter.

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“It would be improper to conduct such an inquiry (in-House) as the CBI is already investigating the scandal,” he said, speaking to reporters at a function.

On the recommendation not to confirm Justice A.K. Singh, an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court, the CJI said it was an administrative decision taken after his name figured in the scam.

Sources said the file was sent to the Law Ministry for further action and Singh would cease to be part of the judiciary in the next few days on the expiry of his term as additional judge.

Asked if any action would be taken against some other judges allegedly involved in the scam, he said there was no question of action as CBI was probing the case. An in-House procedure would mean a parallel investigation, he added.

Justice Balakrishnan, however, refused to take further questions on the scam.

The scam came to light in January after Ghaziabad District Courts Vigilance Officer Rama Jain reported to the Allahabad High Court about huge withdrawal of PF advances in the names of some serving and some fictitious employees.

The HC ordered the Ghaziabad Police to register an FIR in February after an inquiry panel confirmed siphoning of money.

In his confessional statement, main accused Administrative Officer Ashutosh Asthana alleged that a large part of these funds were used for payment of construction material, air conditioners, mobile phones, refrigerators, furniture etc., which were supplied to several sitting and retired judicial officers including the high court and an SC Judge.